Department for Transport

Aviation: Fares

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to require airlines to reimburse the air fares of people who cannot fly on their date of travel because of ill health.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There is no legal authority obliging airlines to refund air fares, including for those who choose not to fly due to ill health. The Department would advise that people should take out suitable travel insurance to cover for such circumstances.

Air Routes: Thames Valley

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the noise impact in (a) Windsor constituency and (b) the Thames Valley of recent flight path trials from Heathrow.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The assessment of the noise impact of the trial will be made by Heathrow Airport Ltd in consultation with NATS.

Aviation: Northern Ireland

Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of passengers on flights originating in Northern Ireland who take connecting flights from other UK Airports in each of the last five years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The estimated numbers of passengers on flights originating in Northern Ireland who take connecting flights from other UK airports in each of the last five years are given in the table below.Passengers originating in Northern Ireland who transfer at UK airports, 2009 - 2013  Year  Transfer passengers (000's)  2009  571  2010  506  2011  400  2012  441  2013  343These figures are based on data from the CAA’s passenger surveys and reflect those airports which form part of the continuous survey (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester). These airports account for the majority of transfer passengers travelling from Northern Ireland.

Railways: Lighting

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to issue guidance to (a) Network Rail and (b) train operating companies that they should implement a replacement programme to introduce LED lighting in their premises.

Claire Perry: Network Rail is responsible for managing its estates in an operationally- effective and cost-efficient way. The choice of lighting used in Network Rail’s premises is an operational matter for the company. The Department has no locus to mandate the type of lighting that train operating companies use on their premises. Many depots are owned by the train manufacturers rather than by Network Rail or the train operators, as the contracts for the rolling stock often include maintenance. At stations, when lighting systems are due for renewal, they would normally be replaced with the current modern equivalent standard of lighting.

Railways: Tickets

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on his Department's plan in Rail Fares and Ticketing published in October 2013 to trial flexible ticketing; when he expects flexible ticketing to be rolled out and available across the whole rail network; what recent representations he has received from train operating companies on such tickets; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: Good progress has been made on introducing flexible ticketing. The Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) rail franchise includes an obligation to introduce carnet-based season tickets on smartcards by 30 September 2015. The Essex Thameside franchise includes a similar obligation to introduce flexible season tickets and carnets. We plan to trial flexible ticketing through a combination of research and analysis, as well as evaluation of data from these flexible ticketing schemes. Conclusions around price, flexibility, the impacts on operator revenue and other ticket prices will be central to any decisions on wider roll-out.

Home Office

Telecommunications: Court Orders

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many production orders to access stored electronic communications have been invoked by each UK police force in each year since May 2010; and what the prosecution rate is following the invoking of such production orders.

Karen Bradley: This information is not held centrally.

Police: Complaints

Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases currently under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission have been live for more than 11 months.

Mike Penning: This information is not held centrally. The Independent Police Complaints Commission will write to my hon. Friend and I will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Asylum

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2014 to Question 203287, on asylum, if she will make it her policy to apply the six-month service standard to all claims received before April 2014; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need it, and the Government is committed to effectively managing its asylum caseload. It remains our aim to decide straightforward claims made before April 2014 by 31 March 2015. There will always be some cases where further information is required or that are too complex to decide within defined timescales.

Meat: Smuggling

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are in place to prevent the illegal importation of bushmeat into the UK.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Immigration

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received on lowering the minimum income threshold limit required by those wishing to bring family members to the UK.

James Brokenshire: We keep the family Immigration Rules under regular review in light of all feedback on their operation. However, we have no plans to lower the minimum income threshold required to bring family members to the UK under those rules. In its 11 July 2014 judgment in MM and Others the Court of Appeal upheld the lawfulness of the requirement and found that it strikes a fair balance between the interests of those affected and the community in general.

Offences against Children: Databases

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the future of the Childbase database of known online child abuse; how she envisages this database interacting with the Child Abuse Image Database; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Offences against Children: Databases

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has spent on commissioning the Child Abuse Image Database; whether this database will include all image-data known to Interpol; what steps she has taken to ensure that police forces can access this database; what specialist software regional police forces will require to access this database; and what additional funds she is making available to cover the costs of such software.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

G4S

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether G4S records (a) telephone calls made to it by asylum seekers who have ended the call as they have not been able to explain that they need an interpreter and (b) all other telephone calls received in connection with its contract to deliver accommodation for asylum seekers.

James Brokenshire: All providers are required under the COMPASS contracts to provide a minimum level of support to asylum seekers accommodated in their properties, this includes briefing the service user in a language that they understand, on how to contact the provider and the Home Office to make complaints.G4S does make a record of all telephone calls they receive from asylum applicants accommodated in their property and refers service users to their interpreters where it is clear that an interpreter is required.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Ukraine on the protests in that country.

Mr David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) discussed the crisis in eastern Ukraine with Foreign Minister Klimkin on 13 September. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the member for Witney (Mr Cameron) also discussed the crisis with President Poroshenko in the margins of the European Council on 30 August and the NATO Summit on 4 September, and at the ASEM meeting in Milan on 17 October.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effects of protests in Ukraine on the stability of the government in that country.

Mr David Lidington: We do not assess that the protests outside the Ukrainian Parliament on 14 October had any effect on the Ukrainian government’s stability. We welcome the recent parliamentary elections as a further step towards building a democratic society in Ukraine. But there is still work to do. The new government, when it is formed, must press ahead with much-needed political, economic and governance reforms.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on recognition of Crimea as the territory of Ukraine.

Mr David Lidington: The UK does not, and will not, recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea is a flagrant violation of a number of Russia’s international commitments, including under the UN Charter, the OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the 1997 Partition Treaty on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet with Ukraine. That is why Russia has been isolated in the Security Council and in the wider international community.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the political situation in Ukraine.

Mr David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), receives regular reports on the political situation in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv and we are in frequent contact with the Ukrainian government. The Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), last discussed the crisis in Ukraine with the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France and Italy on 17 October at the Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan and with EU leaders at the European Council on 23-24 October.

Palestinians

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take in response to the decision of the House on 13 October 2014 in respect of recognition of Palestine.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I have discussed the debate with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials. I reiterated that we share Parliament’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian State as a contribution to a negotiated two state solution, at a time most helpful to the peace process. The UK is a long-standing supporter of seeing a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian State - living in peace and security, alongside Israel.

Qatar

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the government of Qatar about alleged abuse of migrant workers in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We welcome the steps taken by the Qatari government in response to concerns about the treatment of migrant workers and continue to discuss implementation with them. I raised this issue with them during my visit to Doha on 15 October.

Free Movement of People

Dr Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on British citizens living in other EU member states of any restrictions on freedom of movement in the EU.

Mr David Lidington: Free movement works both ways and there are a significant number of British nationals who benefit from these rights abroad. The Government is working to respond to public concern about the abuse of free movement, and to return free movement to a basis that will protect all Member States from sudden or uncontrolled migrations in the future.

West Africa

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what precautions his Department is taking to protect its staff based in West Africa from the Ebola virus.

Mr Philip Hammond: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to the hon. Member for Hyndburn.

Palestinians

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decision of the House on 13 October 2014 in respect of recognition of Palestine.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I have discussed the debate with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials. I reiterated that we share Parliament’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian State as a contribution to a negotiated two state solution, at a time most helpful to the peace process. The UK is a long-standing supporter of seeing a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian State - living in peace and security, alongside Israel.

Syria

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to ensure that UN Security Council Resolution 2139 is being complied with in relation to the humanitarian crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK, with allies and partners, demanded and secured a tougher UN Security Council resolution - UNSCR 2165 - which required Syria to open its borders to humanitarian aid deliveries. In parallel, we have also intensified our work delivering humanitarian aid to people in desperate need, including across borders and conflict lines.

EU External Trade

Robert Jenrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress has been made on negotiating the Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) offers an enormous economic prize, worth up to £400 for each household in the UK through lower prices, and £10bn to our economy as a whole in jobs and investment. The eighth negotiating round will be held later this year. We are making progress and our ambition remains to agree a deal next year.

West Africa

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what precautions his Department is taking to protect its staff based in West Africa from the Ebola virus.

Mr Philip Hammond: We have withdrawn UK-based family members from Freetown, as well as those staff whose underlying medical conditions may make them more likely to require medical attention locally. We have reviewed working practices to avoid staff being exposed to the Ebola virus and issued guidance to all staff and their families in the region on how best to protect themselves against the virus.

Attorney General

Performance Appraisal

John Healey: To ask the Attorney General, how many officials in the Law Officers' Departments completed the Civil Service Employment Policy Performance Management System in 2013-14; how many and what proportion of those officials received the (a) exceeded, (b) met and (c) must improve performance mark; and how many and what proportion (i) did and (ii) did not qualify for a bonus under that process.

Mr Robert Buckland: The following tables contain information on performance marking and any performance awards for officials in the Law Officers’ Departments in the 2013-14 reporting year.   All of the Law Officers’ departments have a non-consolidated performance award pot funded according to HM Treasury guidance. The amount is set as part of departmental pay remits agreed by the Attorney General.  Crown Prosecution ServiceRatingHeadcount%Exceeded73712.9%Achieved (Met)490085.5%Not Achieved (Must Improve)941.6% (1) Only 15 (0.3%) Crown Prosecution Service officials qualified for a performance bonus in 2013/14. These were Senior Civil Servant grades or equivalent and their performance bonus was managed in line with the Cabinet Office Performance Management arrangements for the Senior Civil Service.  (2) Of those completing the CSEP Performance Management Process, 5716 officials (99.7%) did not qualify for a performance bonus. (3) The source data has been extracted from the CPS e-PDR database using the base data report of 29/09/14. Consequent change to data input may mean that this data will change at some point in the future. Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol)*RatingHeadcount%Exceeded35227.7%Achieved (Met)86267.9%Not Achieved (Must Improve)  554.3% * TSol data also covers officials employed by the Attorney General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. This includes the DWP/DH team who merged with TSol on the 1st April 2014.   Awarded performance award in accordance with the TSol pay settlement*  Received awardDid not receive awardTSol317831Proportion 27.6%72.4% * This data does not include the DWP/DH legal team.Awarded performance award in accordance with reserved rights to the DWP/DH pay settlement* Ex DWP/DH legal team1174Proportion of team96.7%3.3% *The DWP/DH legal team operated under their previous appraisal policy in 2013-14. From 2014-15 these staff will be covered by the standard TSol performance system.   Serious Fraud OfficeRatingHeadcount%Outstanding (Exceeded)6523.64%Effective (Met)20273.45%Unsatisfactory (Must Improve)82.91% (1) All staff rated as Outstanding or Effective qualified for a performance award. The amount available to the SFO for performance awards was split accordingly.

Judicial Review

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Attorney General, how many judicial reviews there were involving Government departments according to records held by the (a) Treasury Solicitor and (b) Administrative Court Office in each of the last four years; and how many such reviews were upheld in whole or in part in each such year.

Mr Robert Buckland: The Treasury Solicitor’s Department holds records relating only to those cases in which it has acted. The Treasury Solicitor represents most, but not all, government departments in litigation. For example, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs normally conducts its own litigation. According to records held by the Treasury Solicitor, the number of judicial reviews involving government departments in which it has acted in each of the last four years is as follows:   2010 – 8,566 2011 – 9,603 2012 – 10,274 2013 – 16,449   Information relating to how many of those reviews were upheld in whole or in part in each year is not held centrally and could not be created without incurring disproportionate cost.   The Administrative Court Office does not collate the information requested centrally and determining the number of reviews and how many such reviews were upheld in whole or in part would incur a disproportionate cost.

Stalking

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Attorney General, how many employees of the Crown Prosecution Service have been trained on the law on stalking to date; and what further such training is planned.

Mr Robert Buckland: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has developed two online e-Learning courses on all types of stalking. The “Cyber Crime: Cyber Stalking” course includes cyber stalking, non-cyber stalking and harassment. The “Stalking and Harassment” course (which was released in April 2014) deals specifically with stalking and harassment offences.   The CPS maintains a central record of the number of employees who have been trained on the law on stalking by way of the e-Learning courses. 1581 of its employees in post on 23 October 2014 have completed all elements of either of the e-Learning courses in the period between 1 November 2012 (the month when the Cyber Stalking e-Learning module was revised to include the new stalking offences) and 23 October 2014.   In October 2014 the CPS issued follow-up, face-to-face training material on the Stalking and Harassment offences. It can be used flexibly at a local CPS level; accordingly, its delivery is not recorded on a central database.   Although there are no current plans for new training products to be launched, the CPS will continue to train its staff in this critical area of work.

Stalking

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Attorney General, how many people have been charged under the provisions of section 2a of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 since 25 November 2012.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Attorney General, how many people have been charged under the provisions of section 4a of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 since 25 November 2012.

Mr Robert Buckland: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd on 23rd October 2014 (questions, 211141, 211143 and 211144). The previous answer included tables detailing the number of offences charged under Sections 4A(1)(a)(b)(i), Sections 4A(1)(a)(b)(ii) and 2A(1) of the 1997 Act broken down by each police force in England and Wales.

Offences against Children

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney General, if he will place in the Library a table of Crown Prosecution Service child-abuse flagged (a) pre-charge decisions, (b) prosecutions and (c) convictions for each financial year since 2006-07.

Mr Robert Buckland: The information requested is contained in the attached table, a copy of which has been deposited in the Library of the House.   The CPS definition of child abuse covers any case where the victim was under 18 years of age at the time of the offence. This includes allegations or crimes perpetrated by both adults and persons under the age of 18. Child abuse includes physical, emotional and sexual criminal offences, as well as neglect of a child and historical child abuse where the victim is now an adult. The data provided is primarily used for monitoring performance on cases that involve allegations of child abuse. The data relies on the application of a monitoring flag and is accurate only to the extent that the flag is correctly applied.   The CPS has published a breakdown of both pre-charge decisions and prosecutions for child abuse flagged cases within the annual ‘Violence against Women and Girls Report 2013-14’. 



CPS child abuse  flagged data 
(Excel SpreadSheet, 12.54 KB)

Offences against Children

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney General, if he will place in the Library a list of the local authorities who have adopted the information-sharing protocol launched by the Crown Prosecution Service in January 2014.

Mr Robert Buckland: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not centrally record the number of local authorities that have adopted the national disclosure Protocol.   A survey of Chief Crown Prosecutors found that 82 local authorities have signed a local protocol as of 5 September 2014. The attached list of the local authorities identified in the survey has been placed in the library. 



List: signatories -  protocol
(Word Document, 22.23 KB)

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Business: China

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Chinese government about innovation, manufacturing and investment.

Matthew Hancock: Innovation is a key priority for the UK and Chinese Governments and both are committed to strengthening the UK/China trade and investment relationship. To that end, this Department has held regular discussions on these issues with the Chinese government, including on opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Innovation and investment were discussed at all UK-China high level dialogues in 2014, most recently at the Economic and Financial Dialogue and Bilateral Investment Conference held in London in September 2014, at the UK-China Summit in June 2014 and at the 11th Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing in May 2014.

Business: Loans

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will estimate the number of home repossessions made because the owner defaulted on a bank loan for a business in the last 12 months.

Matthew Hancock: The Ministry of Justice publishes data in the quarterly Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics bulletin showing the number of mortgage repossession orders. In the 12 months to the end of June 2014, the total number of repossessions was 13,868. The published data, however, does not separately identify the number of home repossessions arising from defaults on business loans.

Arms Trade: Gulf States

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the value was of UK arms exports to (a) Saudi Arabia and (b) Bahrain in each year since 2010.

Matthew Hancock: We do not hold data on actual arms sales, only on export licences we have granted, available at: https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/sdb/fox/sdb/SDBHOME.

Arms Trade: Exports

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many arms exports licences have been revoked by the Government in the last year; and for which countries these licences have been revoked.

Matthew Hancock: 15 arms related licences for direct export to Russia have been revoked; 10 arms related licences have been revoked where Russia was listed as a 3rd party and ultimate end user for these licences. Of these licences 5 were for direct export to France, 4 for Italy and 1 for South Africa.

Riot Control Weapons: Hong Kong

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the value of the UK's tear gas exports to Hong Kong was in the last year.

Matthew Hancock: We do not hold data on actual exports, only on export licences we have granted. They are available to view at: https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/sdb/fox/sdb/SDBHOME.

UK Export Finance

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of successful applicants to the UK Export Finance direct lending facility have been small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last five years.

Matthew Hancock: UK Export Finance’s direct lending facility was launched in 2013-14. It was recently amended to make it more readily accessible, and has recently completed its first deal.

Venture Capital

Nadhim Zahawi: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of a potential equity gap in UK venture capital sector.

Matthew Hancock: I have asked the British Business Bank to publish its analysis of equity finance available to UK small business before the end of the year, which will include analysis on UK venture capital. The Department also published an economics paper in January 2012 on SME access to finance, which summarized the evidence at that time about the equity gap in UK venture capital. The paper is available at the following web address: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32263/12-539-sme-access-external-finance.pdf

Iron and Steel: Industry

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking and is planning on taking to invest in training and apprenticeships in the UK steel industry given Tata Steel's recent announcement.

Matthew Hancock: The Government remains committed to a healthy and growing steel industry in the UK and as part of this we are supporting the development of skills in the sector.   We are funding over 100 postgraduate research students working on Tata projects, over 250 apprentices and directly offering over £2 million for direct training of staff.   To boost the pool of potential engineers, Government is making a series of interventions, including £30 million in funding for employers to bid for to address engineering skills shortages in sectors with specific needs and an £18 million investment in a new National College at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.   Total numbers of apprentices starting apprenticeships in the Engineering and Manufacturing Sector stood at 42,520 in 2009/10 which grew to 66,410 in 2012/13.

Iron and Steel: Industry

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is (a) taking and (b) planning to take to increase investment in the UK steel industry given Tata Steel's recent announcement.

Matthew Hancock: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills met the global head of Tata in India on 14th October, who re-affirmed his company's commitment to the British steel industry and to investing substantially in Port Talbot and strip steel.   Working within EU rules, we are implementing a £7billion package of measures to address energy costs including £3billion to compensate energy intensive businesses for the impact of policy costs in their electricity bills.   The Government has offered just over £12.7 million in funding through the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) for the £22 million Proving Factory, which specialises in the industrialisation and low-volume production of advanced propulsion systems to automotive standards. Tata Steel is a key partner in this project, which is already producing commercial products.   Rounds 1 to 5 of the RGF have supported 430 projects and programmes across England – allocating £2.9 billion of government support. We project this to deliver 573,000 jobs and £16 billion of private investment between now and the mid-2020s.   The 2014 Budget doubled the annual investment allowance to £500,000 until the end of 2015. Government has also cut corporation tax from 28% to 21% - it will fall to 20% next year, the joint lowest rate in the G20, making Britain one of the most attractive places to invest and do business.

Low Pay

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce the number of people in work who are in poverty.

Jo Swinson: Work is the best route out of poverty. Universal Credit allows people who work to keep more of the money that they earn by introducing work allowances, which, in most cases, are more generous than the current system. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that 2.4 million working families will be better off, potentially by £167 per month, as a result of Universal Credit. Furthermore, additional support for childcare costs for families on Universal Credit will see 500,000 working families getting more out of the money they earn.

Directors

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent representations he has received about ensuring the presence of workforce representatives on Board of Directors of companies.

Jo Swinson: I have received no recent representations about ensuring the presence of workforce representatives on Board of Directors of companies. Giving employees both a meaningful stake and a ‘voice’ in the business can lead to growth and productivity benefits. While what is right will vary from business to business, I therefore encourage employee ownership. Guidance, model documents and links to further expert advice for businesses and employees considering a move to employee ownership, are at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employee-ownership-company-model-documentation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employee-ownership-guide-for-employees   Research also suggests a link between employee engagement and enhanced employee wellbeing. Initiatives such as Engage for Success (http://www.engageforsuccess.org/) support employers to bring these practices into their workplaces.

Manufacturing Industries

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps the Government has taken to ensure continued investment into the manufacturing industry.

Matthew Hancock: Business is being encouraged to invest by a strong stable economy; competitive corporate tax rates; a good regulatory environment; strong legal frameworks; a dynamic labour market and a long-term sustainable industrial strategy. This provides stability for UK businesses and gives them the confidence to invest.A £3.2 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is providing investment, across England, for projects and programmes such as capital investment, training and research & development. Additionally, the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) has made £345 million available, over 5 national rounds and a regional scheme, to support the repatriation, anchoring and growth of supply chains in England.The Government continues to support inward investment in the UK and, in Coventry & Warwickshire, the local LEP successfully achieved 43 Foreign Direct Investment projects in 2013/14 (30 involving UKTI) - an increase on 2012/13 - creating 2,427 new jobs and safeguarding 719. The majority of these projects are spread across advanced engineering & manufacturing and business, professional & financial services.

Manufacturing Industries

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps his Department has taken to increase domestic sales in the manufacturing sector.

Matthew Hancock: Through Reshore UK, which brings together the expertise of UKTI and MAS, we are backing business every step of the way to bring back jobs and strengthen our manufacturing base. The Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) has made £345 million available to support the repatriation, anchoring and growth of manufacturing supply chains in the UK.The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has a specific requirement to support manufacturing supply chain activity. £59.3 million has been allocated over 3 years and more than 17,250 manufacturing firms have already received specialist support from MAS, helping them improve and grow.To support commercialisation of technology and innovation, Government has launched the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and 16 new university-based EPSRC Centres for Innovative Manufacturing. Budget 2014 included a further £74 million investment in the Catapult network.Government has also created a Skills package that supports businesses in taking on apprentices and provides support for investment in higher level skills: providing an additional £85 million to extend Apprenticeship Grants for Employers Scheme; and £20 million for apprenticeships up to postgraduate level.

Economic Growth

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that economic growth occurs across the country.

Matthew Hancock: The Government's economic policy objective is to achieve 'strong, sustainable and balanced growth that is more evenly shared across the country and between industries.' The economy is growing and unemployment falling in all regions.   To date significant progress has been made to achieve this. This includes:   · Industrial strategy, through which the whole of government is working in partnership with industry to set the long term direction needed to give business the confidence to invest. Industrial strategy has already helped to create jobs and encourage significant investment by industry. Notable examples include the announcements by Siemens and the UK’s Associated British Ports to invest a total of £310m in wind turbine factories in Hull and across the UK creating over 1,000 jobs and Balfour Beatty to spend a record £1bn in 2014 on contracts with SMEs across the country.   · Growth Deals. These are a crucial part of the Government’s long term economic plan to secure a better future and stronger economy for our country. The first £6bn of local projects agreed under the first wave of Growth Deals were announced in July 2014. This includes £74.1million invested in the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership area, which will help to create at least 1,000 jobs and allow up to 1,000 homes to be built. It will also generate up to £30million in public and private investment   · Finally, the Regional Growth Fund which is a competitive £3.2 billion government fund operating across England to provide grants to private sector projects and programmes with significant potential for economic growth and support particular areas and communities that are currently dependent on the public sector for employment. To date £2.9 billion has been allocated across England with over £1 billion going to projects and programmes in the north and £670 million to nationwide programmes. These investments have in turn generated £2.4 billion of private investment with a further £13.6 billion to follow over the next ten years.

Manufacturing Industries

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent steps his Department has taken to increase manufacturing sector exports.

Matthew Hancock: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) staff are providing expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based manufacturing companies growing their business overseas and helping them trade successfully in foreign markets.Exports of manufactured goods from the West Midlands region increased by over £4 million between 2012 and 2013.UKTI involvement has directly assisted a number of West Midland companies increase exports and overseas sales; leading to bigger workforces, investment in new machinery and expansion of premises. Additionally, UKTI has helped West Midland companies attend international trade shows, raising companies’ profiles and significantly increasing the total business turnover. UKTI also provides overseas sales support enabling West Midlands companies to successfully acquire multi million pound contracts.

Iron and Steel: Industry

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to support British manufacturing firms with an interest in the UK steel industry given Tata Steel's recent announcement.

Matthew Hancock: We are supporting and encouraging the Metals Sector, through the Metals Forum (an umbrella group of Trade Associations), on the development of a Metals Strategy; this will bring Metals into line with other important Foundation Industries such as Electronics and Chemicals which have already published strategies. This is expected to be published by the Metals Sector next spring.   The Steel industry is strong in the UK, having achieved 23% growth in output since 2010[1], and has a sustainable long term future. High technology industries such as aerospace, automotive and construction all require high value, continually improving steel products in order to remain competitive.   The Government works closely with the steel industry on a range of issues related to maintaining an internationally competitive steel sector in the UK. However, the EU State Aid rules limit what direct help can be offered to steel companies - R&D, environmental protection and some training can be supported, but not operational aid.   [1] Source - Iron & Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB) .

Foreign Investment in UK

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to ensure that inward investment and job creation is encouraged on an equal basis in all the regions of the UK.

Matthew Hancock: UK Government Departments promote and support foreign direct investment, and the jobs that it can bring or safeguard, on an equal basis in all regions of the UK.   For inward investment, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) teams are structured to support the overall strategy of promoting the “UK First”, putting forward the areas of the UK best able to meet the requirements of the particular investor and so most likely to attract that inward investment. UKTI and its national, local and overseas partners develop inward investment opportunities that meet the sector requirements of investors.   UKTI has agreed Memoranda of Understanding with the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (and with Local Enterprise Partnerships and London and Partners in England) to ensure an open and equitable approach. The UKTI operating model combines strong levels of local engagement within a national framework of support, to best support inward investment.

Metals

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the Urgent Question on 16 October 2014, Official Report, column 445, on Tata Steel, when he plans to publish his Department's metals strategy.

Matthew Hancock: The metals sector is expected to publish its strategy in Spring 2015.   We are supporting the metals sector, through the Metals Forum (an umbrella body bringing together the metals related trade associations) on the development of this strategy: this will bring metals into line with other important foundation sectors which have published strategies already. Foundation sectors are those such as metals, electronics and chemicals which underpin manufacturing.   The strategy will cover issues such as sustainability, supply chains, technology & innovation, skills and communication – which will all have an impact on the metals industry, including steel.

Iron and Steel

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much steel was produced in the UK in each year since 1985.

Matthew Hancock: I can confirm that UK steel production from 1985 is as per the following table:   UK Crude steel productionIn ‘000 tonnes198515,488198614,479198717,195198818,723198918,508199017,610199116,295199216,050199316,469199417,172199517,439199617,818199718,328199817,141199916,181200015,019200113,403200211,528200313,129200413,766200513,239200613,906200714,392200813,521200910,07520109,70820119,47820129,579201311,94220147,114 (to end July)   Source - Iron & Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB)

Exports: Ghana

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what exports from the UK were supported by UK Export Finance's loan guarantee for Mourne Ltd's Kotoka International Airport project in Ghana.

Matthew Hancock: UK Export Finance is supporting Mourne Ltd’s contract in relation to the upgrade of Kotoka International Airport. UK exports supported include lighting, steel frames, drainage pipes, engineering and design services.

EU External Trade: USA

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what work his Department has conducted on identifying specific policy areas and sectors for which the UK will seek exemptions from the scope of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and what representations the UK has made to the EU on exemption of such policy areas or sectors.

Matthew Hancock: The Government has consistently pushed for an ambitious agreement under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations in line with the recently published mandate.   The European Commission has explicitly ruled out public services from the scope of any market liberalisation in TTIP, and it has therefore not been necessary to discuss any exclusions related to specific public services.   The Commission has provided further details on the treatment of public services, available online at: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2014/may/tradoc_152462.pdf

Disabled Students' Allowances: East Midlands

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many people in each parliamentary constituency in the East Midlands received disabled students' allowance in each of the last five years.

Greg Clark: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Development

Iraq

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many women and girls have been assisted by UK aid programmes in the Kurdish region of Iraq in the last 12 months.

Justine Greening: In response to the current crisis, the UK has allocated an overall aid package of £23 million for 2014/15 to support the needs of internally displaced people in Iraq. £18.7 million of this has been allocated for Northern Iraq. Given the displacement and movement of people in Iraq, it is not possible to have precise information on the number of women and girls assisted by UK aid programmes in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.   DFID funding includes programming to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Activities include establishing women and children’s community centres, which provide group counselling and support for women, as well as offering safe spaces for children to play and learn.

Iraq

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many air drops of aid the UK has undertaken in the Kurdish region of Iraq during the last 12 months.

Justine Greening: The UK has not carried out any aid drops to the Kurdistan region of Iraq.   The UK carried out 7 airdrops of humanitarian assistance to Mount Sinjar and 2 air drops to the town of Amerli in Northern Iraq.

Iraq

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much UK aid has been allocated to Iraq in the last 12 months.

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much UK aid has been allocated to the Kurdish region of Iraq in the last 12 months.

Justine Greening: In response to the current crisis, the UK has allocated an overall aid package of £23 million for 2014/15 to support the needs of internally displaced people in Iraq. £18.7 million of this has been allocated for Northern Iraq. The total amount of aid that has been allocated to the Kurdistan region of Iraq is not possible to quantify exactly as our humanitarian partners are distributing aid based on need across Northern Iraq.

Meat: Wildlife

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the dangers of eating bushmeat in those countries where it is currently practised.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK is supporting the Social Mobilisation Action Consortium (SMAC) as part of its response to Ebola in Sierra Leone. This consortium focuses on achieving behaviour change to address a range of high risk practices to prevent and contain the spread of Ebola. Partners of the consortium, who include the Centre for Disease Control, provide technical advice on how to avoid infection. As well as avoiding contact with blood and bodily fluids of an infected person and ensuring safe funeral practices, this includes taking steps not to eat or handle bushmeat. We are also tracking knowledge of risk behaviours and transmission routes through a survey administered through the consortium in order to plan our behaviour change activities accordingly.

Ghana

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with her Ghanaian counterparts on the use of UK aid to support small-scale farmers in that country.

Lynne Featherstone: I spoke to the President of Ghana and others in Government when I visited Ghana earlier this year about furthering economic development in the country. Those discussions included how we could help to foster growth in the agricultural sector in ways that will benefit poor farmers. I visited sites where DFID is supporting initiatives to do this.   In Ghana, DFID has three projects whose primary aim is to enable poor farmers to earn more income. One is centred on two irrigation schemes that will benefit thousands of small-scale farmers. Another is an investment fund to help agricultural businesses. The third provides support to improve the way that markets work for poor people, concentrating on six agricultural products. DFID aims to ensure that 30,000 poor producers in Ghana have improved access to services by March 2016.

Department for Education

Free Schools

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's Research Report, Are free schools using innovative approaches?, published in September 2014, what data is  available for publication on the length of (a) terms and (b) school years, in days, from the free schools which responded to her Department's questionnaire, referred to in that Report.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's Research Report, Are free schools using innovative approaches?, published in September 2014, what the (a) longest and (b) shortest (i) terms and (ii) school years are in days, according to the responses from the free schools which submitted answers to her Department's questionnaire, referred to in that Report.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's Research Report, Are free schools using innovative approaches?, published in September 2014, what proportion of free schools which responded to the Department's questionnaire do not teach personal, social, health and economic education.

Mr Edward Timpson: Our online survey of free schools asked only whether they were operating terms and school years that were different to other schools in the local area. It did not collect data on the actual lengths of terms and school years in the free schools or other local schools.   Two out of 74 (3%) of the free schools completing the survey stated that they do not offer personal, social, health and economic education.

Armed Forces: Education

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2014 to Question 210122, what costs (a) have been and (b) will be incurred by her Department for the (i) design and (ii) editing of the British Armed Forces Learning Resource 2014.

Mr David Laws: The Department for Education has not incurred any costs for the design or editing of the British Armed Forces Learning Resource 2014.

Families

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2013 to Question 210316, if she will publish the minutes of her meetings with her Cabinet colleagues on the proposed contents of the Family Test announced by the Prime Minister on 18 August 2014.

Mr Edward Timpson: As was the case under previous Administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Schools: Admissions

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2014 from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools to the Earl of Listowel, Official Report, House of Lords, column 553, what estimate she has made of the number of schools that do not prioritise looked-after children.

Mr Edward Timpson: The School Admissions Code 2012 requires all state-funded schools to give admission priority to looked-after and previously looked-after children. [1]In May this year the Department issued additional guidance to clarify its position for school admission authorities in relation to children adopted from local authority care. This was to ensure that all children adopted from local authority care in England and Wales should have the highest priority rather than restricting priority to those children adopted from care under the Adoption and Children Act 2002.The most recent report of the Office of the Schools Adjudicator indicates that this requirement has been met in most of the arrangements seen by adjudicators (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307182/osa_annual_report_12-13.pdf) but acknowledges there is more to be done to ensure that all schools comply fully with this requirement.The Children and Families Act 2014 included a new provision to place the role of Virtual School Head (VSH) on a statutory footing. VSHs have a role in promoting the education of the children their authority looks after and that includes ensuring everyone understands the requirements in the Code. [1] Previously looked-after children are those who have been adopted from care and those who left care under a Special Guardianship Order or Residence (now Child Arrangements) Order.

Ministry of Justice

Burglary: Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which courts did not send people with the highest number of previous convictions for burglary to prison for a further offence of burglary in each of the years since 2010.

Mike Penning: Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for our independent judiciary, taking account of the circumstances of the case and the maximum penalty for the offence. However, when sentencing an offender the courts must treat recent and relevant previous convictions as an aggravating factor. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of three years’ imprisonment for a third conviction for domestic burglary. The sentencing guideline for burglary aims to ensure that the effect on victims is at the centre of considerations about what sentence each offender should receive. The average custodial sentence length for domestic burglary has increased from 21.4 months in 2009 to 23.6 months in 2013. This Government is committed to strengthening sentences, so that they combine both punishment and requirements that are effective at preventing further offending. We are transforming rehabilitation, by bringing together the best of the public, private and voluntary sectors, and only rewarding them when they actually do reduce reoffending. The highest number of previous convictions for burglary by an offender who was convicted of a further burglary offence and not sentenced to immediate custody for the further offence by court or Local Justice Area (LJA) in England and Wales, from the 12 months ending March 2010 to the 12 months ending March 2014, is given in Table 1. The offenders concerned (and one of the two offenders in 2010, is the same offender in 2011 and 2013) have long offending histories, and they have received immediate custodial sentences for most of their burglary convictions, the vast majority of which were not for domestic burglary.Table 1: The highest number1 of previous convictions for burglary by an offender who was convicted of a further burglary offence and not sentenced to immediate custody for the further offence3 by court or Local Justice Area (LJA) in England and Wales, 12 months ending March 2010 to 12 months ending March 2014.12 months ending March Court Number1 of previous convictions2010Sussex (Western) Local Justice Area & Horseferry Road Magistrates Court61,612011Bristol Local Justice Area642012Manchester Magistrates Court472013*Central London Local Justice Area 652014South East Surrey Local Justice Area52Source: Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC) 1. Number of previous convictions are counts of the number of separate occasions an offender has previously been convicted of burglary.2. All data have been taken from the MoJ extract of the Police National Computer. This includes details of all convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings given for recordable offences (see www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1139/schedule/made for definition). It is therefore possible that some offenders presented in the table above have previously also received convictions for offences not recorded on the PNC.3. An offender may have had previous convictions for which they received an immediate custodial sentence* One of the two offenders in 2010 is also the relevant offender in 2011 and 2013.

Data Protection

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what requirements there are for (a) the Government and its agencies and (b) organisations and corporations to report the loss of an individual's personal information.

Simon Hughes: The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) does not place a legal obligation on data controllers to report breaches of security which result in loss, release or corruption of personal data. However, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has made clear that serious breaches should be brought to their attention. The nature of the breach or loss can then be considered together with whether the data controller is properly meeting their responsibilities under the DPA. The DPA does not define ‘serious breaches’ but the ICO have produced guidance to assist data controllers when deciding whether to report a breach. The guidance can be found on its website at: www.ico.org.uk.The ICO has a range of tools to allow it to respond robustly and to make sure that private and public sector organisations meet their information rights obligations, such as issuing monetary penalty notices, requiring an organisation(s) to pay up to £500,000 for serious breaches of the DPA.

Harassment

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many restraining orders were issued by the courts under the provisions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 in (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013; and how many of those restraining orders were (i) breached or (ii) enforced.

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, of the people who have been charged under (a) section 2A and (b) section 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, how many have so far (a) received a custodial sentence, (b) received a non-custodial sentence, (c) not proceeded with and (d) still pending.

Mike Penning: The stalking offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, sections 2A (stalking) and 4A (stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress), have been available from 25 November 2012. The two stalking offences provide further options for prosecutors when considering charges relating to harassing behaviour. The section 2A offence has a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine, and the section 4A offence has a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. A court dealing with a person convicted of any offence, including those under sections 2, 2A, 4 or 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, may make a restraining order prohibiting the defendant from doing anything described in the order. This order can be made in addition to a custodial sentence or other sentence. The order can be especially useful in preventing continued stalking and harassment by defendants, including those who are given sentences of imprisonment. Breach of a restraining order has a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. Sentencing in individual cases is entirely a matter for our independent courts, taking account of all the circumstances of each case. The number of restraining orders issued at all courts and those found guilty of breach of a restraining order under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997 in England and Wales from 2011 to 2013 (latest available) can be viewed in table 1. The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' court, found guilty and sentenced at all courts, with sentencing breakdown, for selected offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, in England & Wales, from 2012 to 2013, can be viewed in table 2. The Ministry of Justice does not hold figures on cases not yet dealt with. 



Number of Restraining Orders 
(Excel SpreadSheet, 40.5 KB)




Defendants proceeded against
(Excel SpreadSheet, 26.5 KB)

Prison Service

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Prison Service Reserve Band 3 staff have been employed at each prison establishment in the last year.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many former members of prison staff have been appointed to the Prison Service Reserve in the last year.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many letters have been sent to former prison staff seeking expressions of interest to join the Prison Service Reserve in the last year; and how many such letters received a positive response.

Andrew Selous: The creation of the Prison Service Reserve was announced in June. Staff information will be published in late November, covering the period up to 30 September.The National Offender Management Service has written to 2,066 selected former staff who left during the past two years, inviting them to volunteer for a fixed term contract of up to nine months. In response to positive replies from former employees, 435 application packs were distributed. Recruitment for both the Prison Service Reserves and for permanent officers is progressing well. NOMS is currently aiming to appoint up to 100 Reserves (full time equivalents), but with the flexibility to develop the Reserve as required. We will also be recruiting nearly 1,700 Prison Officers on permanent contracts between 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the average caseload of Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) staff in each month since the CRC was established.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of pending cases at the Community Rehabilitation Company in each month since it was established.

Andrew Selous: The Probation Service transitioned to new structures on 1 June following thorough business readiness testing which demonstrated that NOMS was ready to make that transition at that time. The new CRCs are sufficiently resourced to deliver their core duties and we will ensure that there is enough capacity to meet demand within the new system. Offender management statistics are published quarterly. The statistical bulletin for the quarter ending 30 June 2014 will be published at the end of October 2014, and the bulletin for the quarter ending 30 September will be published at the end of January 2015. Pending transactions – where a case is in the process of being transferred to another part of the Service for further action – are by their nature fluid. These cases are managed on a daily basis to ensure they are transferred as efficiently as possible. The figure varies from day to day and is not published.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the cost of all voluntary redundancies made in the probation service since the establishment of the Community Rehabilitation Company.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of probation staff that have taken voluntary redundancy since the establishment of the Community Rehabilitation Company.

Andrew Selous: The National Agreement on Staff Transfer and Protections includes an enhanced national voluntary redundancy scheme which applies up to and including 31 March 2016. Decisions including agreement on applications for voluntary redundancy have to be made and agreed by 31 March 2015. The costs of all exits under this scheme will be met from the Department’s Modernisation Fund, which is used to support sustainable reductions in resource requirements. Figures relating to the numbers of redundancies will in due course be published in the NOMS Annual Report and Accounts.

Probation

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will commission an investigation into the effect of reforms to the probation service since May 2010 on the overall efficiency of the justice system.

Andrew Selous: Public Protection is a key priority for this Government. Given the social and financial costs incurred by high reoffending rates, it is imperative that we act now to help offenders turn their backs on crime. With more than half a million crimes committed each year by those who have broken the law before, the status quo is not an option. It is for this reason that the Government set out in the Coalition Agreement our commitment to reform offender rehabilitation services. The Government does of course understand the need to implement these reforms in a manner that ensures that public safety is maintained. This is why we have been clear that we will manage these changes in a controlled way and will not proceed until we are satisfied that it is safe to do so. We continue to monitor the performance of the system.

Stalking

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of probation staff have received training in sections 2A and 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Andrew Selous: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 17 June by my predecessor as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kenilworth and Southam (Jeremy Wright) Official Report, column 584W.

Prison Service

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Prison Service Reserve Band 4 staff have been employed at each prison establishment in each of the last five years.

Andrew Selous: The creation of the Prison Service Reserve was announced in June. Staff information will be published in late November, covering the period up to 30 September. Recruitment for both the Prison Service Reserves and for permanent officers is progressing well. NOMS is currently aiming to appoint around 100 Reserves (full time equivalents), but with the flexibility to develop the Reserve as required. We will also be recruiting nearly 1,700 Prison Officers on permanent contracts between 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Prison Service

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether staff employed in the Prison Service Reserve are classed as mobile grades as defined by the Civil Service Management Code.

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether staff employed in the Prison Service Reserve can be ordered to perform detached duty.

Andrew Selous: Staff employed in the Prison Service Reserve are mobile as a condition of service, and can, therefore, be permanently transferred to any civil service post. All NOMS staff can be required to serve periods of detached duty. Decisions on suitability for redeployment or detached duty will take account of an employee’s individual circumstances.

Magistrates

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many magistrates there are in each local authority area; what the gender and ethnic composition is of magistrates in each such area; and what recruitment of magistrates there has been in each such area in the last five years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Each magistrate in England and Wales is assigned to a local justice area. I have therefore interpreted the reference to ‘local authority area’ in the question to mean local justice area. Table 1 provides the number of magistrates in each local justice area along with their gender and ethnic breakdown. The number of magistrates recruited in each local justice area is dictated by the business needs of the magistrates’ courts. Due in part to falling crime levels, the workload of the magistrates’ court has reduced in recent years. Table 2 provides the number of magistrates recruited in each local justice area in the last five years. 



Table 1
(Excel SpreadSheet, 72.5 KB)




Table 2
(Excel SpreadSheet, 97 KB)

Ministry of Defence

Warships

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement of (a) HMS Albion, (b) HMS Bulwark and (c) HMS Ocean by (i) rank and (ii) specialisation is.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement of Duke class frigates is by (a) rank and (b) specialisation.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement of the Daring class destroyers is by (a) rank and (b) specialisation.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned crew complement of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier is by (a) rank and (b) specialisation.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement of the Hunt class minehunters is by (a) rank and (b) specialisation.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of Sandown class minehunters.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of River class patrol vessels.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of Archer class patrol vessels.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of (i) HMS Echo, (ii) HMS Enterprise, (iii) HMS Scott, (iv) HMSML Gleaner, (v) HMS Protector and (vi) HMS Endurance.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of Scimitar class patrol vessels.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of Astute class submarines.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of Trafalgar class submarines.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is of Vanguard class submarines.

Mr Mark Francois: Ships' and submarines' complements are not fixed; they vary, even across a Class, due to equipment fits and in response to specific tasking. The tables attached show the average number of liability positions for each platform when in its normal operating role.  



Royal Navy Crew Compliments - 210751
(Word Document, 303.5 KB)

Armed Forces: Suicide

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of suicide by serving armed forces personnel resulted in a full service enquiry between 2002 and 2012.

Anna Soubry: Service inquiries were introduced on 1 October 2008, to replace the three single-Service systems of boards of inquiry. In the period from 1 October 2008 until 31 December 2012, the number of cases in which the death of a Service person was confirmed by a coroner (or the procurator fiscal for Scotland) as a suicide, and for which a service inquiry was held, is four. The number of cases in the Naval Service for which a board of inquiry was convened into a death confirmed as a suicide in the period from 1 January 2002 until 30 September 2008 is seven. Information about the number of boards of inquiry convened by either the Army or the RAF before October 2008 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Colombia

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has had discussions with the Colombian government in the last six months on future security assistance from the UK.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the government of Colombia on Colombian internal security in the last 12 months.

Mr Mark Francois: Routine defence staff talks took place in Colombia in January 2014 and covered all aspects of the UK/Colombia defence relationship including military education and training, defence transformation and our ongoing programme of counter narcotics assistance for Colombia.

Defence: Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which freedoms and flexibilities the bidders for Managed Service Providers in the Ministry of Defence DE and S have been granted.

Mr Philip Dunne: When Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) became a bespoke trading entity on 1 April 2014 it was given a broad range of freedoms, agreed by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, to allow it to manage its business, outputs and workforce within an operating cost envelope set to drive significant efficiencies. The bidders for the Managed Service Provider work packages are not granted freedoms and flexibilities; they are being procured via standard commercial practices to provide tailored external skills to support DE&S as it uses its freedoms to transform and to deliver the equipment programme.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the UK's ability to respond militarily to threats to Gibraltar.

Mr Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Compensation

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where his Department has found delays in the processing of injured veteran's claims in the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claim process.

Anna Soubry: Each claim is different. Many are complex. It is inevitable that processing these can take a considerable time, for example while evidence is gathered from third party organisations and individuals.In the case of the War Pension Scheme, there are no time limits for claiming, and claims for injuries dating back to World War Two are still being received. Assessing these claims involves locating 70 year old paper records, both Service and medical, and often requires a person to be medically examined so that a decision can be made based on up-to-date evidence. We attach much importance to dealing with all such claims as quickly as possible. Improvements have already been implemented and work is ongoing to further speed up the claims processing times.

Aircraft Carriers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans are in place in relation to the deployment of the HMS Queen Elizabeth II and HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers.

Mr Mark Francois: Specific deployment plans for the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers have not yet been decided. The carriers are strategic maritime platforms which will perform a wide variety of military functions; for example: providing credible conventional deterrence; delivering carrier strike missions using Lightning II aircraft; enforcing no fly zones; deploying Royal Marine Commandos; building international partnerships; delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief; and conducting complex non-combatant evacuation operations.

Tornado Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether aircraft from the recently retired Tornado squadrons (a) have been put in storage, (b) destroyed and (c) used for cannibalisation.

Mr Philip Dunne: As part of the phased reduction of the RAF’s Tornado GR4 fleet, aircraft allocated to disbanded squadrons are assessed against a range of criteria including flying hour life consumed, embodied capabilities and future maintenance requirements. Depending on the result of this assessment, aircraft are reallocated to Front Line squadrons, returned to BAE Systems for maintenance or upgrade, placed in storage for future use or selected for spares recovery. Components and equipment for which no further beneficial use can be identified are disposed of through normal channels.

European Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the MBDA Brimstone 2 missile will be ready for operational use on Typhoon aircraft; and whether this missile will be usable on all variants of the aircraft.

Mr Philip Dunne: Work is under way to ensure the integration of Brimstone 2 on to Typhoon aircraft. On 2 June 2014, BAE Systems was awarded a contract to undertake a risk reduction study in support of a planned Main Gate business decision in early 2015. No decision has yet been taken on those variants to which Brimstone will be fitted.

Military Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the annual combined operating and support cost for one F-35 and one Typhoon aircraft.

Mr Philip Dunne: The information is not held in the format requested as aircraft operating and support costs are calculated on the whole fleet rather than per aircraft, in order to achieve efficiencies of scale. While data continues to mature on the F-35 programme, it is too early to provide future UK operating and support cost estimates.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the unit cost is of the (a) Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and (b) Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Hermes 450 Unmanned Air System was procured by the Ministry of Defence from Thales UK as a service provision in response to an Urgent Operational Requirement. The Department has therefore never owned the equipment and does not have access to the unit cost. Watchkeeper is a system delivering an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability and comprising a number of elements including air vehicles, ground control stations, data terminals, ground equipment and sensors, as well as infrastructure and training facilities. Delivery of the complete Watchkeeper system is enabled by the Demonstration, Manufacture and In-Service Support contract with the prime contractor, Thales UK. As a contract for delivering the entire system, it does not lend itself to the individual identification of the unit cost of a Watchkeeper aircraft.

Colombia

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department had with the Colombian government on human rights in that country before it took the decision to provide military assistance in that country.

Mr Mark Francois: Military assistance in Colombia has been provided over many years and the issue of human rights is closely examined before any military assistance to Colombia is approved. The UK has provided expertise and advice to the Colombian Armed Forces on the subjects of international humanitarian law and human rights during military operations at a number of seminars and conferences.My right hon. Friend the previous Foreign Secretary (William Hague) raised the issue of human rights with President Santos and Defence Minister Pinzon in February. He welcomed the Colombian Government’s commitment to zero tolerance of human rights abuses and underlined the importance of taking action on threats to human rights defenders and trade unionists. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Latin America Affairs, (Hugo Swire) also raised human rights with the Colombian Government during his visit to Colombia in June.

Warships: Shipbuilding

Mr William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the value is of Government contracts awarded to shipyards based (a) on the Clyde and (b) in Rosyth in each year since 1997.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence does not hold comprehensive information centrally on contracts awarded to the shipyards on the Clyde and in Rosyth since 1997. While records of contracts awarded to BAE Systems and Babcock (the owners of Scotstoun, Govan and Rosyth) are available, these cover a wide range of equipment, services and locations and may not all be related to the shipyards. Any analysis would therefore only present a partial picture of the total value of contracts awarded to the shipyards.

Armed Forces: Compensation

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Veterans UK policy is on prioritising the compensation claims of armed forces veterans with more serious illnesses or injuries.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Compensation

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what change there has been in the time taken to process War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims since 2010.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Young People

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter dated 1 August 2014 from the Secretary of State for Defence to the Defence Committee, published in that Committee's Seventh Special Report of Session 2014-15, HC 387, Appendix B, if he will place in the Library a copy of the full analysis undertaken by the Adjutant General into the cost effectiveness of recruiting under-18's

Mr Julian Brazier: The document requested is being reviewed. Once the review is complete, it will be placed in the Library of the House.

Veterans: Northern Ireland

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service leavers resident in Northern Ireland have received further and higher educational support under the Service Leavers Scheme funded by his Department.

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason Northern Ireland is defined as an overseas location for the purposes of offering further and higher educational support under the Service Leavers Scheme.

Anna Soubry: No service leavers who reside in Northern Ireland have benefitted from the Scheme as Northern Ireland was classified as an overseas location. However, I am pleased to say that action is in hand to amend the legislation governing the Scheme to extend provision to Northern Ireland service leavers. We anticipate this coming into effect from September 2015.

Military Bases: Omagh

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to address the issues raised with him by the First Minsiter of Northern Ireland concerning the transfer of the former St Lucia barracks in Omagh to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Anna Soubry: The majority of St Lucia Barracks has been transferred to the Office of First Minister/Deputy First Minister as part of the Hillsborough agreement. The remainder is in the process of being transferred.

Guided Weapons

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's planning assumptions are on which aircraft delivery platform will be used to house the Brimstone Launch missile system once the No 2 Tornado squadron has been disbanded in April 2016 until the fitting of Brimstone to the Typhoon aircraft has been completed.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Brimstone weapon will continue to be operated by the Tornado aircraft until the platform retires in 2019.

Armed Forces: Offenders

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2014 to Question 210743, when the changes to the habitation of offenders legislation came into force; when his Department became aware of this change; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Offenders

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2014 to Question 210743, what the nature is of the disciplinary action taken against the four serving members of the armed forces who lodged complaints which were subsequently and remain stayed; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

English Language: Education

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on teaching English in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Nurseries

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many nursery places his Department offers; how many applications there have been for those places in each year since 2010; and how many of the nursery places are occupied.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many nursery places his Department offers; how many applications have there been for such places in each year since 2010; and how many such places currently on offer are occupied.

Anna Soubry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 March 2014, (Official Report, column 720W) to the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson).  



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Armed Forces Day

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget is for the Armed Forces Day national event in Guildford on 27 June 2015; how much of that cost is being met by (a) his Department and (b) Guildford Borough Council; whether any public funding so provided is dependent on match funding from industry or other sources; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry Of Defence provides a grant of £25,000 to the hosts of an Armed Forces Day National event. The grant is a fixed amount given each year. The total cost to Guildford Borough Council will be dependent on their specific plans for this prestigious event.

Department for Work and Pensions

Mesothelioma: Compensation

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been paid out under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment scheme to date.

Mr Mark Harper: As of 30 September 2014, the cumulative total of all payments made since the scheme began is £11,013,694.48. This figure is derived from £8,633,440.75 total paid to applicants and £2,380,253.73 total paid to the DWP Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU). DMPS payments are subject to recovery following benefit legislation which provides for CRU to recover social security benefits and lump sums that were paid for the same condition.

Disability Living Allowance: Motherwell

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of the working age population of Motherwell and Wishaw constituency are in receipt of disability living allowance.

Mr Mark Harper: The information requested is shown in the table below.   Number of working age Disability Living Allowance claimants in the Motherwell and Wishaw Parliamentary Constituency, as a proportion of the working age population: As at February 2014  TotalProportionMotherwell and Wishaw4,2708.8%   Source: DWP 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (Caseload) National Records of Scotland © Crown Copyright 2014 (Population Estimates Mid 2013)   Notes: 1. Caseload figure is rounded to the nearest 10; The proportion is rounded to one decimal place. 2. Caseload information is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool 3. Population information is published at: http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/mid-year-population-estimates 4. Parliamentary Constituency of claimant (Westminster) These constituencies are used for the Westminster parliament. 5. Caseload information shows the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 6. The population estimates are for the constituencies for the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections as at 30th June for each year from 2002 onwards. 7. The population estimates areas are based on data zone population estimates. 8. Data zones do not fit exactly into the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary Constituency boundaries, so they are allocated on a 'best fit' basis.9. Where a data zone crosses the boundary of two or more constituencies it is allocated to the constituency that contains the population-weighted centroid of the data zone.

Social Security Benefits

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2014 to Question 207337, when his Department's statisticians last assessed whether statistics on mandatory reconsideration meet the standards set out in the UK Statistics Authority's code of practice.

Mr Mark Harper: DWP statisticians are currently working to collate and quality assure data on Mandatory Reconsideration. The Department has committed to publishing statistics as soon as Departmental statisticians judge that the data meets the standards set out in the UK Statistics Authority’s Codes of Practice. The aim is to release an initial set of official statistics on Mandatory Reconsideration by the end of 2014.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claimants of industrial injuries disablement benefit as a result of having contracted an asbestos-related disease were in receipt of (a) state pension credit and (b) other means tested benefits in each of the last five years.

Mr Mark Harper: Information on the number of IIDB recipients also in receipt of State Pension and other means tested benefits is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total cost of industrial injuries disablement benefit payments in respect of claimants suffering from as asbestos-related disease was in each of the last five years.

Mr Mark Harper: Information on the cost of industrial injuries disablement benefit payments in respect of claimants suffering from particular diseases is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people in receipt of industrial injuries disablement benefit claimed the benefit as a result of having contracted an asbestos-related disease in each of the last five years.

Mr Mark Harper: The number of people in receipt of industrial injuries disablement benefit who claimed the benefit as a result of having contracted an asbestos-related disease, in each of the last five years can be found in table 1.12A at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/industrial-injuries-disablement-benefit-quarterly-statistics-december-2013   The proportions can be calculated by combining with the information in Table 1.1.

Mesothelioma: Compensation

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have (a) applied for, (b) are in receipt of and (c) have been declined a payment under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payments scheme; what the (i) highest, (ii) lowest and (iii) average payout is under the scheme to date; and what information he expects to publish on the future performance of the scheme.

Mr Mark Harper: As of 30 September 2014, there have been: a) 173 applications to the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Schemeb) 88 payments madec) 28 unsuccessful applications The average payment as of 30 September 2014 is £125,000 (rounded to the nearest £1,000). Due to the low numbers of the Scheme applications at this stage, it is not possible to disclose the actual highest and lowest payments, as they could lead to individuals being identified. DWP will carry out an annual review of the scheme as set out within the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Regulations 2014. The first report under this regulation will be published on or before 30 November 2015. The report will set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the scheme, include the level of take up, and assess the extent to which those objectives have been achieved over the reporting period.

Post Office Card Account

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit payments of each type were paid into Post Office card accounts in each of the last five years; and what proportion of such recipients were (a) of working age and (b) retired.

Steve Webb: Please find below details of the volume of payments, by benefit, paid into Post Office card accounts in each of the last five contract years from October 2009, the start of the current Post Office card contract. As at September 2014 the proportion of POca working age customers is 41.66% and retirement customers 58.34%. Benefit typeOct '09 to Mar '10Apr '10 to Mar '11Apr '11 to Mar '12Apr '12 to Mar '13Apr '13 to Mar '14Apr '14 to Sept '14Attendance Allowance 1,282,0732,646,1962,980,2753,166,6773,116,8401,538,852Child Support (DC) Client Fund2,0795,6089,1789,6897,938285CMEC1,1973670CSA DWP Payments - CSA DWP284,118557,228648,147626,507584,705268,170Dfee Employment Services 79,971214,85559,427   Disability Living Allowance4,090,8367,931,0277,678,9577,488,2197,179,0773,386,779DWP Local Payment83,618149,836128,871145,018186,97475,160DWP Universal Credit334634Incapacity Benefit3,956,0206,640,7875,369,6803,703,1781,745,634444,821Income Support32,694,70257,496,38548,077,83442,369,84135,144,71615,612,744Industrial Injuries1,823,6923,499,8163,304,6693,108,4462,923,1841,391,414Invalid Care Allowance2,010,8773,886,2433,685,8213,591,3413,390,9411,642,035Jobseekers Allowance2,126,4503,952,3754,039,6003,986,7903,154,3191,177,786Personal Independence Payment15,57953,193Resource Management141,271268,619206,031145,249105,36215,817Retirement Pensions41,051,12377,838,70372,231,42069,904,00464,327,42330,210,680Social Fund161,723263,709246,262270,296219,54391,450Employment & Support Allowance339,0471,380,7412,286,9255,264,2197,812,0664,358,635Winter Fuel Payments DWP  888,46238238028

Independent Living Fund

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evaluation he has made of the effect on previously eligible claimants of the Independent Living Fund following its abolition.

Mr Mark Harper: The potential implications of closing the Independent Living Fund are set out clearly in the Equality Analysis published on 6 March 2014.

Personal Independence Payment

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2014 to Question 207159, whether his Department has any recourse to sanction (a) Atos and (b) Capita in the event that individuals have to wait longer than 16 weeks by the autumn.

Mr Mark Harper: There is a commitment in place that by the end of the year we expect no one to be waiting for a Personal Independence Payment assessment for longer than 16 weeks. Appropriate contractual provisions are in place support the achievement of this commitment.

Incapacity Benefit: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley local authority and (c) South Yorkshire are in receipt of incapacity benefit.

Mr Mark Harper: The information requested is shown in the table below.   The number of people receiving Incapacity Benefit in Barnsley East constituency, Barnsley local authority and South Yorkshire area, as at February 2014. DateBarnsley East constituencyBarnsley local authoritySouth YorkshireFeb-144701,1604,920   Source: DWP 100% WPLS.   Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Data is up to February 2014 which is the latest data available. 3. Figures for South Yorkshire is the sum of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Local Authorities. 4. These statistics are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool

Disability Living Allowance: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley local authority and (c) South Yorkshire claimed disability living allowance in each of the last five years.

Mr Mark Harper: The information is not available. Such information as is available on the number of people in receipt of DLA, by parliamentary constituency and local authority can be extracted using the DWP Tabtool: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html

Carer's Allowance: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley local authority and (c) South Yorkshire are in receipt of carer's allowance.

Mr Mark Harper: The information requested is shown in the table below.   The number of people receiving carer's allowance in Barnsley East constituency, Barnsley local authority and South Yorkshire area, as at February 2014.   DateBarnsley East constituencyBarnsley local authoritySouth YorkshireFeb-141,6703,79019,340 Source: DWP 100% WPLS.   Notes: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes cases where the payment has been suspended e.g. if they are in hospital.The South Yorkshire region is a sum of the figures for Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield local authorities.These statistics are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool

Asbestos

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many premises inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive visited as part of inspections of the licensed removal of asbestos in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013.

Mr Mark Harper: The information asked for is not held. Below is a table of the number of Asbestos visits by Health and Safety Executive Inspectors. These numbers may include more than one visit to the same premises. The number of inspections has reduced over the past five years due to a reduction in the number of licence holders from 559 in 2010 to 458 in 2014. Year (April – March)Number of Asbestos visits2010 – 20111,8722011 – 20121,7552012 – 20131,5222013 – 20141,318

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been allowed backdated universal credit claims to date.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Personal Independence Payment: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment claims in (a) Barnsley local authority area and (b) South Yorkshire have taken longer than 16 weeks to be awarded or declined.

Mr Mark Harper: Departmental statisticians are continuing to develop measures around clearance times and waiting times to ensure they provide a rounded and representative picture of Personal Independence Payment performance, improvement activity and the claimants’ experience. These statistics will be published when they are ready, with the release pre-announced in line with United Kingdom Statistics Authority release protocols.

Universal Credit: Barnsley

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of universal credit claimants in Barnsley local authority area have a housing cost element in their payment.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Universal Credit: Barnsley

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants in Barnsley local authority area are in arrears on rent payments.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Personal Independence Payment: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases have been registered for personal independence payment in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley local authority area and (c) South Yorkshire.

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment cases have been cleared in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley local authority area and (c) South Yorkshire.

Mr Mark Harper: Such information as is available on personal independence payment cases registered and cleared below national level has been published and is available in the data tables which accompany the most recent release of statistics on 17 September: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-april-2013-to-july-2014

Universal Credit: Barnsley

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many payments to universal credit claimants have been made directly to a landlord in Barnsley local authority area to date.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Disability Living Allowance

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of disability living allowance reassessments are conducted over the telephone.

Mr Mark Harper: Disability Living Allowance claimants who are asked to claim Personal Independence Payment will be assessed by an independent health professional. No assessments for Personal Independence Payment are currently carried out over the telephone. A health professional carrying out a review of paper-evidence may telephone the claimant to gather specific additional information to support their considerations.

New Enterprise Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) qualifications and (b) experience are required to be an adviser on the New Enterprise Allowance programme.

Esther McVey: The sourcing for suitable volunteer mentors is the responsibility of New Enterprise Allowance providers. Providers must ensure that mentors have the right skills and experience to provide business mentoring and support the participants into self-employment.

Disability Living Allowance

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had the mobility component of their disability living allowance reduced in each year since 2010.

Mr Mark Harper: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Asbestos

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the exposure of armed forces to the risks of asbestos.

Mr Mark Harper: There have been no discussions between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Secretary of State for Defence on the exposure of HM armed forces to the risk of asbestos. HSE is not aware of any MOD asbestos-related issues that would have required this.

Asbestos

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Health and Safety Executive inspectors have received training on the removal of asbestos from licensed premises since 2009.

Mr Mark Harper: Since 2009, 120 inspectors have been trained to inspect licensed asbestos removal work. This training provides inspectors with appropriate knowledge and information to enable them to inspect such work safely and effectively.

New Enterprise Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many mentors are working to assist the delivery of the New Enterprise Allowance.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available.

Personal Independence Payment

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will include data on the average length of time taken to process personal independence payment claims in his Department's next quarterly statistics release.

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what average length of time his Department took to process a personal independence payment from (a) a motor neurone disease sufferer and (b) another disabled person since the introduction.

Mr Mark Harper: Departmental statisticians are continuing to develop measures around clearance times and waiting times to ensure they provide a rounded and representative picture of personal independence payment performance, improvement activity and the claimants’ experience. These statistics will be published when they are ready, with the release pre-announced in line with United Kingdom Statistics Authority release protocols.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to waive the habitual residency test for jobseeker's allowance claimants when the claimant has lived abroad because of a parent being posted as a memember of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: It has always been the case that any UK national who has left the country for an extended period must satisfy the habitual residence test. We are aware of concerns raised about the impact on returning UK nationals and are in the process of amending regulations to exempt from the three month residence requirement, members of the armed forces who have been posted abroad, Crown servants who have been posted abroad and others who had paid certain types of UK national insurance contributions during their absence abroad.

Housing Benefit: Ayrshire

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in East Ayrshire are currently subject to housing benefit being capped as a result of the benefit cap introduced in April 2013.

Esther McVey: The latest official benefit cap statistics, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-cap-statistics, show that in East Ayrshire as at May 2014, there were 16 households subject to the cap.

Housing Benefit: Ayrshire

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in East Ayrshire had had housing benefit capped since the introduction of the benefit cap at the latest date for which figures are available.

Esther McVey: The latest official benefit cap statistics, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-cap-statistics, show that in East Ayrshire between April 2013 and May 2014, a total of 36 households have been capped.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recommendations the Work Programme Building Best Practice Group has made to help the over 50s back to work.

Esther McVey: We will be publishing the Work Programme Building Best Practice Group report, and the department’s response to the recommendations made later on this autumn.

Job Evaluation

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the procedure is in his Department for assessing grade boundaries and job roles; and how often such assessments take place.

Steve Webb: DWP uses two job evaluation schemes, which are widely utilised across the Civil Service.   1. Job Evaluation and Grading Support (JEGS), an analytical points-based system which is used by trained evaluators to rank roles from AA to Grade 6. This also incorporates Grading Guidance which provides an analytical matching of posts based on JEGS, a good level of assurance and is less resource intensive than a full evaluation. 2. Job Evaluation for Senior Posts (JESP) which is similar to JEGS but used to evaluate posts in the Senior Civil Service.   DWP evaluates all new roles and roles where there has been a fundamental or material change in job content using one of these schemes.   Information on JEGS, including use of grading guidance, is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/job-evaluation-and-grading-support-jegs-for-civil-servants  Information on JESP is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/job-evaluation-for-senior-posts-good-practice-guide

Universal Credit: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many payments to universal credit claimants have been made directly to a landlord in Ashfield local authority area.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Universal Credit: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of universal credit claimants in Ashfield local authority area have a housing cost element in their payment.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.  As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Universal Credit: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of universal credit claimants who have a housing cost element in their payment in Ashfield local authority area are in arrears on rent payment.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Universal Credit: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants in Ashfield local authority area are in arrears on rent payment.

Mr Mark Harper: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013 which can be found at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics   These statistics however will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.   As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for Universal Credit, therefore it is not yet possible to give a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future.

Employment and Support Allowance: Ashfield

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment and support allowance claimants in (a) the support group, (b) the work-related activity group and (c) overall in Ashfield local authority area will be affected by the social sector under-occupancy penalty.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Motability

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of former disability living allowance claimants who use a Motability vehicle have had the vehicle removed after being moved to personal independence payment; and what savings have accrued to the Exchequer as a result.

Mr Mark Harper: The data requested is not available. Motability is wholly responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme including collating its own management information. Questions about the number of vehicles returned because claimants are not entitled to the enhanced rate of the mobility component of personal independence payment (PIP) can be sent to: Declan O’Mahony, Director, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex, CM195PX.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dangerous Dogs

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs have been removed from their owners because those dogs were deemed dangerous in the last year.

George Eustice: Statistics on the number of dogs seized are not held centrally. Such information would be held by each police force.

Dangerous Dogs

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions there have been for owning a dog banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in the last two years.

George Eustice: Defendants proceeded against at magistrates' court for offences under 1(3) of the Dangerous Act 1991(1), England & Wales, 2012-2013(2)(3) can be seen in the table below.  Outcome20122013Proceeded against354232   (1) Possession, without exemption of a Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa or other designated fighting dog. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from the administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services – Ministry of Justice PQC 830-14

Weeds Act 1959

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of compliance with the Weeds Act 1959 across the UK.

Dan Rogerson: We have not made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Weeds Act 1959 across the UK. Natural England (the delegated authority for investigating complaints about injurious weeds) monitors compliance with the Act through the collection of data such as the number of enforcement notices issued per year.   There were 37 enforcement notices in 2013. However, we encourage communications between landowners and complainants to try and resolve any issues informally. In the vast majority of cases, this approach is successful.

Dangerous Dogs

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dog attacks have been recorded in the last two years.

George Eustice: The Government do not keep records of dog attacks. However, the National Health Service records hospital admissions for dog bites. These showed that in England and Wales for the period February 2012 to January 2013 there were 6,372 admissions for dog bites and for the period February 2013 to January 2014 there were 6,743.

Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the information required to be collected under Condition 6 of the schedule to the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 is available publicly.

George Eustice: Condition 6 of Part 1 of the Schedule to the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 requires the operator of a greyhound racing track to keep records for 10 years of details of any injuries sustained by greyhounds during a race, trial or sales trial. The records must be completed by the attending veterinary surgeon but there is no requirement on tracks to make this information available publicly. However, we would expect the injury records to be reviewed by the veterinary surgeon and track manager on a regular basis to determine if injury rates are changing. How these records are being used will be one of the issues looked at during the five-year review of the Regulations.

Dangerous Dogs

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dangerous dogs have been destroyed in each month in the last two years.

George Eustice: Statistics on this are not held centrally but would be held by each police force.

Tree Felling

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2014 to Question 208409, what the maximum level of fine and sanction available for illegal tree felling was in each year since 1982; and when the level of fine or sanction was last reviewed and last increased under provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 1982.

Dan Rogerson: The penalty for felling a tree without the authority of a felling licence is prescribed by section 17 of the Forestry Act 1967. A person guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale or twice the sum which appears to the court to be the value of the tree, whichever is the higher. The standard scale of fines was introduced into the Forestry Act by the Criminal Justice Act 1982. Changes to the standard scale are made the Ministry of Justice and apply uniformly across all offences using the standard scale. The level 4 fine maximum at present is £2,500.   Since 1982, the standard scale has been revised as follows:   Level:1982:1992 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1991):1£25£2002£50£5003£200£1,0004£500£2,5005£1,000£5,000

Waste Management

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made towards meeting the recovery target for construction and demolition waste in the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC); and what steps she is taking to meet and enforce that target.

Dan Rogerson: The construction and demolition sector has made great strides in reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. We are required to report on the recovery of construction and demolition waste across the UK, with a target of achieving a recovery rate of at least 70% by 2020. It is challenging to measure progress against this target and the methodology is being reviewed, but provisional estimates indicate that England is achieving a recovery rate that is comfortably above 70%, with the amount landfilled having decreased by over 40% between 2008 and 2012.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Non-domestic Rates: Westmorland

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many shops in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency have benefited from the reduction in business rates.

Kris Hopkins: We have introduced a £1 billion business rate support package for 2014-15 including:– a 2% cap in the Retail Price Index increase in the small business rates multiplier;– a retail discount of £1,000 for around 300,000 shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000;– a 12 month extension of small business rate relief doubling, benefitting over half a million businesses;– a 50 per cent discount for new occupants of long-term vacant shops, and;– allowing ratepayers to pay bills over 12 instalments.The Department does not collect data on a constituency basis, but Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency lies entirely within the South Lakeland District. Table 1 shows, where available, the estimated number of properties that will benefit from each of the reliefs introduced or extended in 2014-15 in South Lakeland District, as well as the amount of relief awarded: Table 1ItemEstimated number of properties in the South Lakeland District that will benefit from these reliefs units)Amount of Relief Awarded  (£thousands)2% RPI Cap on Small Business Rates Multiplier7,782N/A12 month extension of small business rate relief doubling, of which:3,412 5,5551 - 100% relief2,653 - Tapering759Long Term Empty Reoccupation ReliefN/A75Retail Rate Relief1,0101,011All data is from the 2014-15 NNDR1 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rates-collected-by-local-councils-in-england-forecast-for-2014-to-2015), except for retail rate relief data which is available from the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/353101/Estimated_number_of_properties_that_will_receive__1000_business_rates_relief.Pdf1This is the total amount of small business rates relief awarded. The breakdown for the amount awarded to properties receiving 100% and tapering relief is not available.N/A – data not available.

Parish Councils

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made on measures to (a) allow town and parish councils to send agendas electronically and (b) reform parish polls.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 3 April 2014, Official Report, Column 780W which explained that we are minded to make regulations to make it clear that councils (including town and parish councils) can send council papers electronically; councillors would continue to have a right to receive them in hard copy by post should they wish. As indicated in that answer, we have been undertaking an informal sounding on the Order with key partners; we now intend to make regulations before the end of the year. Separately, we also intend to publish a consultation paper on proposals to reform parish polls, further to the enabling provisions introduced in the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to answer Question No. 207857, tabled by the right hon. Member for Leeds Central on 2 September 2014.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to answer Question No. 207858, tabled by the right hon. Member for Leeds Central on 2 September 2014.

Brandon Lewis: Questions 207857 and 207858 were answered on Thursday, 23 October 2014.

Non-domestic Rates: Yorkshire and the Humber

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many businesses in (a) Barnsley East constituency and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber have qualified for the full business rates discount to date.

Kris Hopkins: We have introduced a £1 billion business rate support package for 2014-15 including: – a 2% cap in the Retail Price Index increase in the small business rates multiplier;– a retail discount of £1,000 for around 300,000 shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000;– a 12 month extension of small business rate relief doubling, benefitting over half a million businesses;– a 50 per cent discount for new occupants of long-term vacant shops, and;– allowing ratepayers to pay bills over 12 instalments.As outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement of 18 September 2012, Official Report, Column 32WS, the Department no longer publishes statistics by government office region. Additionally, the Department does not collect data on a constituency basis, but Barnsley East constituency lies entirely within the Barnsley Metropolitan District. Table 1 shows, where available, the estimated number of properties that will benefit from each of the reliefs introduced or extended in 2014-15 in Barnsley Metropolitan District, as well as the amount of relief awarded: Table 1ItemEstimated number of properties in the Barnsley Metropolitan District that will benefit from these reliefs (units)Amount of Relief Awarded  (£thousands)2% RPI Cap on Small Business Rates Multiplier6,597N/A12 month extension of small business rate relief doubling, of which:2,650 4,4581 - 100% relief2,026 - Tapering624Long Term Empty Reoccupation ReliefN/A43Retail Rate Relief740738All data is from the 2014-15 NNDR1 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rates-collected-by-local-councils-in-england-forecast-for-2014-to-2015), except for retail rate relief data which is available from the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/353101/Estimated_number_of_properties_that_will_receive__1000_business_rates_relief.Pdf1This is the total amount of small business rates relief awarded. The breakdown for the amount awarded to properties receiving 100% and tapering relief is not available.N/A – data not available.

Local Plans

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what percentage of local planning authorities in England have (a) not published, (b) not submitted and (c) not adopted a local plan as of 21 October 2014.

Brandon Lewis: I refer the rt. hon. Member to my written answer of 9 October 2014, PQ 208138.

Members: Correspondence

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to reply to the letter of 24 July 2014 from the hon. Member for Warley, on compulsory purchase orders.

Brandon Lewis: My Department takes seriously its responsibilities to respond to MP’s letters in a timely fashion. Having checked all of our databases I can find no record of the letter the rt. hon. Member for Warley refers to and I respectfully ask him to send me a copy so that I may respond.

Refuges

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that there are sufficient women's refuges to meet demand.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of children living with parents in women's refuges in (a) Huddersfield, (b) Kirklees, (c) Yorkshire and (d) England.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many women's refuges are operating in (a) Huddersfield, (b) Kirklees, (c) Yorkshire and (d) England.

Kris Hopkins: The Statistics requested are not centrally held.Decisions on the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic abuse are for local authorities; we expect local authorities to commission services based on the needs of their communities, taking account of locally available data sources. The dynamics of domestic abuse mean that accommodation can play an important role in the resolution of interpersonal abuse and conflict. This is why the homelessness legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for families with children and for vulnerable people who become homeless through no fault of their own. There is a range of support for victims of domestic abuse. Some victims will be accommodated in refuges, but Sanctuary Schemes and mainstream local authority accommodation may be an option for others, while some victims will pursue independent solutions with help and advice from support schemes as necessary. This Government has secured £6.5 billion investment to help vulnerable people through housing related support. This forms a key element of refuge funding through local authority commissioned services. We also fund UKRefugesOnline a UK wide database of domestic violence services which supports the national 24 hour free phone domestic violence helpline. This service enables those working with victims of domestic violence to identify appropriate services and potential refuge vacancies around the country so that victims can get the help they need as quickly as possible. This Government has ring-fenced nearly £40 million of funding for specialist local domestic and sexual violence support services until 2015. This funding is used to part-fund 54 multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators and 144 independent domestic violence advisers. We have piloted and rolled out Clare's Law and domestic violence protection orders; extended the definition of domestic abuse to cover controlling behaviour and teenage relationships; run two successful campaigns to challenge perceptions of abuse; and placed Domestic Homicide Reviews on a statutory footing to make sure lessons are learned from individual tragedies. We are keeping this matter under review, and are keen to support best practice and greater joint working.

Housing: Construction

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what methodology his Department recommends for the calculation of five year land supplies; whether planning authorities are required to use regional spatial strategy figures in such calculations; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: The Coalition Government has abolished the last Administration’s top-down Regional Strategies which imposed housing numbers on local councils and fuelled resentment against new development.Our planning reforms have ensured that councils should determine where new homes should and should not go through their Local Plans. It is for elected local councils working with their local communities to decide how best to meet their objectively assessed housing needs.Our Planning Guidance, which we published on 6 March, sets out a clear and simplified methodology for assessing development needs for housing. Planning ahead for housing is the best way to make sure communities and business can have confidence and ensure enough housing is delivered to meet local needs. Housing projections provide the starting point estimate of overall housing need, but can then be adjusted to reflect other factors including any constraints on land. This creates a housing requirement figure, which is used as the starting point for calculating a five-year land supply.

HM Treasury

Interest Rate Swap Transactions

Guto Bebb: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the interest rate swap redress scheme.

Andrea Leadsom: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of organisations as part of the usual policy making process.   However, the Chancellor has had no recent discussions with the FCA specifically regarding its review on the mis-selling of interest rate hedging products.   It might be useful to know that the Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations. This is available online at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Sir Greg Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount that will be saved by the non-issuing of vehicle excise discs.

Sir Greg Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason it is his Department's policy to collect vehicle excise duty from both the vendor and the purchaser of a motor vehicle for the full month in which that motor vehicle is sold.

Sir Greg Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of additional revenue will be raised by the recent change to the law that results in both the vendor and the purchaser of a motor vehicle paying vehicle excise duty on that vehicle for the whole month in which it is sold.

Priti Patel: It has been a long standing feature that Vehicle Excise Duty licences are issued from the first day of each month. Licensing on a date other than the first of the month would add administrative complexity and cost to the tax system.   As a consequence of the abolition of the tax disc, from 1 October 2014 there will be around 2.5 million motorists that will now receive automatic refunds upon selling their vehicle that would not have done so previously. The Tax Information and Impact Note published on 10 December 2013 estimated that the abolition of the tax disc would have no Exchequer revenue impact. We expect the revenue impact of the introduction of automatic refunds and the non-transferability of the vehicle licence to cancel each other out.   The administrative cost savings from the abolition of the tax disc are estimated to be £13.8m per year as set out in the Impact Assessment published by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on 8 September 2014. These savings reflect the costs associated with producing, issuing and posting the tax disc.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Energy: Prices

Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the schemes in the Levy Control Framework on average annual household energy bills in each of the years from 2015 to 2021.

Matthew Hancock: The projected expenditure from schemes under the Levy Control Framework for the financial years from 2015/16 to 2020/21 will be is expected to be published as an annex (‘DECC’s Consumer Funded Policies – a report to Parliament’) to the Annual Energy Statement. Publication of the Annual Energy Statement is expected in Autumn 2014.

Matthew Hancock: The projected expenditure from schemes under the Levy Control Framework for the financial years from 2015/16 to 2020/21 will be is expected to be published as an annex (‘DECC’s Consumer Funded Policies – a report to Parliament’) to the Annual Energy Statement. Publication of the Annual Energy Statement is expected in Autumn 2014.

Fracking

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of (a) the total cost to his Department and (b) the number of full time equivalent staff employed in administering the fourteenth licensing round for onshore oil and gas.

Matthew Hancock: No assessment to date has been made on the total cost to DECC of administering the 14th licensing round. The consideration of applications made in the licensing round is yet to take place and the number of applications relevant staff will need to consider will not be known until the passing of the application deadline on the 28th October 2014.Up to four members of staff have had substantial involvement in preparations for the round to date, and up to six more may be involved in the assessment of applications once received and in the issue of licences in accordance with Ministers’ decisions. In addition, the Department is conducting environmental assessments related to the round, with assistance from external consultants.

Energy: Prices

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the likely total allocation from the levy control framework for (a) feed in tariffs, (b) renewables obligations and (c) projects agreed under the final investment decision-enabling process in each year from 2015 to 2021.

Matthew Hancock: The projected allocation from the levy control framework for feed in tariffs, the renewables obligation and projects agreed under the final investment decision-enabling process in financial years from 2015/16 to 2020/21 will be is expected to be published in an annex (‘DECC’s Consumer Funded Policies – a report to Parliament’) to the Annual Energy Statement.Publication of the Annual Energy Statement is expected in Autumn 2014.

Matthew Hancock: The projected allocation from the levy control framework for feed in tariffs, the renewables obligation and projects agreed under the final investment decision-enabling process in financial years from 2015/16 to 2020/21 will be is expected to be published in an annex (‘DECC’s Consumer Funded Policies – a report to Parliament’) to the Annual Energy Statement.Publication of the Annual Energy Statement is expected in Autumn 2014.

Biofuels

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, which biomass power stations are totally dependent on clean wood rather than waste wood.

Amber Rudd: In 2009 the Renewables Obligation Order introduced the requirements for generating stations using biomass fuels to report against sustainability criteria. The dataset for the fourth reporting year (2012-2013) against these criteria has been published, and details the types of biomass used:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2012-13.

Biofuels

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information his Department holds on the proportion of biomass used for power generation in the last three years for which data is available that comprises (a) roundwood, (b) diseased trees, broken branches and unused sawdust that would otherwise go to waste and (c) other wood in (i) Drax and (ii) other biomass power stations.

Amber Rudd: In 2009 the Renewables Obligation Order introduced the requirements for generating stations using biomass fuels to report against sustainability criteria. Datasets for four reporting years have been published. These detail the types of biomass used. The dataset for 2012-13 is at:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2012-13.The dataset for 2011-12 is at:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/annual-sustainability-report-2011-2012.The dataset for 2010-11 is at:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/annual-sustainability-report-2010-11.The dataset does not provide a comparable breakdown by roundwood, diseased trees, broken branches, unused sawdust that would otherwise go to waste and other wood used by Drax and other biomass power stations except where generators have provided further descriptions of the material used, in addition to the reporting requirements.The reporting requirements include the following: fuel name, biomass type and biomass form.Our intention is for the sustainability criteria to become mandatory from April 2015 for stations of 1MW and above wishing to claim support under the Renewables Obligation, Renewable Heat Incentive, Investment Contracts and future Contracts for Difference.

Biofuels

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information his Department holds on the proportion of biomass combusted for power generation in the UK that is attributable to (a) high-risk and (b) low-risk pathways as assessed by his Department.

Amber Rudd: The Bioenergy Strategy 2012 defined a set of low-risk energy deployment pathway, opposed to high risk pathways, for biomass combusted for power generation. These included:· Using wastes for energy where it maximises carbon and cost effectiveness and where it is consistent with the waste hierarchy· Using sustainable biomass as a transitional fuel to reduce carbon emissions from current coal power generation· The promotion of combined heat and power generation to make more efficient use of biomass resourcesThe Department has acted to support biomass deployment in line with these pathways. Information on the capacity of and generation from these sources is publically available and published as part of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes.

Biofuels

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the tonnage of carbon dioxide emitted by (a) the production processes, including drying, of biomass destined for UK power generation, (b) the transportation of biomass from all origins to power generation plants in the UK and (c) the transportation and disposal of fly ash arising from biomass combustion in the UK in the last year for which figures are available.

Amber Rudd: The UK Government is bringing in sustainability criteria for those supplying biomass under the RO and RHI. These were initially introduced as reporting requirements from April 2014, with the intention of bringing in mandatory criteria from April 2015. No data has yebeen published.In order to calculate the greenhouse gas saving of a fuel, suppliers are required to sum each of the emission components but are not required to report the component savings. It is the responsibility of generators to determine where in their supply chain the saving is made.Power suppliers using bioliquids have had to comply with the Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria since 2011, which includes a 35% minimum greenhouse gas emissions saving. Ofgem reports on these emissions, the most recent figures are found in the Renewable Obligation annual report:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/86392/roannualreport2012-13final.pdf.

Environment Protection: Employment

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many green jobs which have lasted more than six months have been created in each parliamentary constituency since May 2010.

Amber Rudd: Information on employment at constituency level is not available at sector level.However, there is evidence to suggest that jobs within the green economy are spread widely throughout the UK. A report published by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills contains estimates of the number of jobs within the wider green economy and its supply chain for each of the twelve statistical regions of the UK. These estimates are summarised in Table 1 below.Table 1 Employment in low carbon and environmental goods and services sectors [in thousands]Region2009/102011/12East Midlands6162East of England8487London160164N Ireland3132North East3839North West9293Scotland7678South East117120South West7678Wales4041West Midlands7577Yorks and Humber6668Total914939Source: BIS, Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services 2011/12 (2013), https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-carbon-and-environmental-goods-and-services-2011-to-2012

Energy: Job Creation

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information is collected on new jobs created in the UK in (a) manufacturing, (b) installation and (c) allied services relating to (i) renewable energy technologies and (ii) energy-saving technologies and services.

Amber Rudd: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not collect information on employment in renewable energy and energy-saving technologies at this level of disaggregation.At an aggregate level, the Renewable Energy Association has estimated that there were around 103,000 people employed in 2012/13 across the range of renewable technologies:http://www.r-e-a.net/resources/rea-publications(Renewable Energy Association, REVIEW, 2014) The Department furthermore estimates that there are currently over 100,000 jobs in the UK’s multi-billion pound energy efficiency sector:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-uk-energy-investment-2014(DECC, July 2014)

Opencast Mining: Ayrshire

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government about the re-instatement of former opencast coal sites in East Ayrshire.

Matthew Hancock: This is not an issue my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed directly with Scottish Government Ministers, but he would intend to do so once other ongoing matters around the coal industry have been resolved.

Feed-in Tariffs

Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he will review his policy on feed-in tariffs for the provision of energy.

Amber Rudd: The small scale Feed-in Tariff scheme has been a great success since its launch in April 2010, with over 600,000 installations registered for the scheme at the end of September 2014.As required by our state aid approval, we will be conducting a periodic review of the Feed-in Tariff scheme in 2015 to check that compensation levels are appropriate for those looking to invest in their low carbon future by installing small scale renewable electricity technology at their home or business.

Cabinet Office

Fraud

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the fraud level was in each of the last six years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Fraud Level
(PDF Document, 202.2 KB)

Minister Without Portfolio

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the Minister without Portfolio has travelled overseas on an official visit since his appointment to that post; what the (a) purpose and (b) cost of each such visit was; and what the class of travel was for each journey on each such visit.

Mr Francis Maude: Details of Ministerial overseas travel is published on a quarterly basis.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Orchestras: Northern Ireland

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with Northern Ireland's Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure on the future of the Ulster Orchestra.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Northern Ireland Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure has not raised this matter with me. Questions surrounding the funding of the Ulster Orchestra are matters for the Northern Ireland Executive.

Radio Frequencies

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to encourage public sector users of the radio spectrum to share bands.

Mr Edward Vaizey: All public sector spectrum users are subject to Administered Incentive Pricing (AIP) which serves to encourage spectrum to be used efficiently or released to other uses. This charge is set by HM Treasury with advice from Ofcom and the DCMS.

Broadcasting: Radio Frequencies

Sir Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 206821, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of PMSE market failure if PMSE users are not allocated alternative spectrum in which to operate before the 799 MHz band is cleared; what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom regarding mitigating that risk; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: In its consultation on the future of the 700MHz band, Ofcom highlights the important benefits that PMSE delivers to the UK. Ofcom sets out a clear objective, in case of a change of use of those frequencies away from existing services including PMSE, to continue to secure those important benefits. Its plan to achieve this includes improving the way current use takes place as well as securing access to alternative frequencies and Ofcom is working closely with stakeholders through its regular engagement with the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group.I welcome Ofcom’s recognition of the significant value that PMSE delivers and we fully support their work on mitigating the effect of loss of access to the 700MHz band. This is an integral part of any change to the 700 MHz band and the DCMS will continue to monitor Ofcom’s work in this.

Broadcasting: Radio Frequencies

Sir Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 206821, how many meetings (a) his Department and (b) Ofcom have had with HM Treasury on compensation for the Programme Making and Special Events sector if the 700 MHz band was cleared of such users; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: DCMS is currently working closely with HMT and Ofcom to examine all aspects of clearing the 700MHz band, including in relation to PMSE. Once a decision on the future of the 700MHz band has been made and timelines for any programme have been finalised, it will be possible to consider any compensation scheme for PMSE.

Broadcasting: Radio Frequencies

Sir Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2014 to Question 206823, what assessment his Department has made of the future possibility of mobile network operators demanding access to more spectrum; what steps his Department is taking to test the validity of such future demands; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Ofcom published a statement in May on its strategy to deal with the growing demand for mobile data services. In that document Ofcom highlighted that there are a wide range of long term forecasts both in terms of traffic levels and set out the subsequent implications for future spectrum requirements. Ofcom will continue to review the growth in mobile data demand, and consequently how much spectrum (in addition to public sector spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands and the proposed release of the 700 MHz band) it might be beneficial to make available for mobile data services in the future. However, this type of analysis is inherently subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and therefore Ofcom is working to ensure there are sufficient spectrum options for the future to deal with this demand if and when it emerges.

Department of Health

Knee Replacements

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS knee replacement operations were carried out in England, by region, in the last three years.

Jane Ellison: The attached table shows how many knee replacement operations were carried out in England, by region, in the last three years. The following table shows how many knee replacement revisions were carried out by the National Health Service in England in the last three years. Information relating to how long the average time interval was between total knee replacement and subsequent revision procedures is not held centrally.YearRegionFull Knee ReplacementOnly one bone in the knee joint is replaced2010-11North East456* North West825* Yorkshire And The Humber759* East Midlands551* West Midlands751* East Of England733* London738* South East Coast673* South Central670* South West8687 England Total7,024252011-12North East422* North West704* Yorkshire And The Humber751* East Midlands547* West Midlands728* East Of England612* London747* South East Coast613* South Central576* South West839* England Total6,539142012-13North East396* North West759* Yorkshire And The Humber677* East Midlands572* West Midlands713* East Of England596* London768* South East Coast584* South Central545* South West9158 England Total6,52518Notes: 1. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE): Both tables show FCEs. An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. The figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person.2. The data should not be described as a count of people as the same person may have been admitted on one or more occasion.3. †Providers that are not based in England have been removed, and therefore the national totals may not be equal to the sum of the regional totals.4. To protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been replaced with “*” (an asterisk). Where it was still possible to identify figures from the total, additional figures have been replaced with "*”.  


Table
(Word Document, 18.53 KB)




Table
(Word Document, 18.65 KB)

Jane Ellison: The attached table shows how many knee replacement operations were carried out in England, by region, in the last three years. The following table shows how many knee replacement revisions were carried out by the National Health Service in England in the last three years. Information relating to how long the average time interval was between total knee replacement and subsequent revision procedures is not held centrally.YearRegionFull Knee ReplacementOnly one bone in the knee joint is replaced2010-11North East456* North West825* Yorkshire And The Humber759* East Midlands551* West Midlands751* East Of England733* London738* South East Coast673* South Central670* South West8687 England Total7,024252011-12North East422* North West704* Yorkshire And The Humber751* East Midlands547* West Midlands728* East Of England612* London747* South East Coast613* South Central576* South West839* England Total6,539142012-13North East396* North West759* Yorkshire And The Humber677* East Midlands572* West Midlands713* East Of England596* London768* South East Coast584* South Central545* South West9158 England Total6,52518Notes: 1. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE): Both tables show FCEs. An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. The figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person.2. The data should not be described as a count of people as the same person may have been admitted on one or more occasion.3. †Providers that are not based in England have been removed, and therefore the national totals may not be equal to the sum of the regional totals.4. To protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been replaced with “*” (an asterisk). Where it was still possible to identify figures from the total, additional figures have been replaced with "*”.  


Table
(Word Document, 18.53 KB)




Table
(Word Document, 18.65 KB)

Vaccination

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what payments have been received in the 2014-15 financial year by GPs for the delivery of vaccines through each routine immunisation programme, broken down by (a) item-of-service payment, (b) administration fee, (c) reimbursement cost, (d) Quality and Outcomes Framework reward and (e) Directed Enhanced Service payment; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Data for the current financial year are  is not yet available. Financial data on overall spend of vaccination and immunisation programmes in general practice are is published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) once it has undergone routine checks and audits as set by the National Audit Office.   HSCIC will published the data for 2013-14 on 19 22 September 2014.

Jane Ellison: Data for the current financial year are  is not yet available. Financial data on overall spend of vaccination and immunisation programmes in general practice are is published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) once it has undergone routine checks and audits as set by the National Audit Office.   HSCIC will published the data for 2013-14 on 19 22 September 2014.

NHS England

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many meetings the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health has had with James Palmer, Clinical Director for Specialised Commissioning at NHS England since 1 April 2014.

Jane Ellison: I have had no meetings with James Palmer, Clinical Director for Specialised Commissioning at NHS England since 1 April 2014.   There is regular contact between Departmental officials and Clinical Directors at NHS England, including the Clinical Director for Specialised Commissioning.

NHS England

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many meetings he has had with Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England since 1 April 2014.

Dr Daniel Poulter: My Rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, meets with Mr Stevens on a weekly basis with additional meetings arranged as and when required, which often include other members of the Ministerial team.

Heart Diseases: Children

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to support paediatric cardiac surgery services across England and Wales.

Jane Ellison: NHS England is currently reviewing congenital heart services for adults and children, including paediatric cardiac surgical services. The review aims to:   - secure the best outcomes for all patients; - tackle variation; and - improve patient experience.   The review has developed a set of draft standards and service specifications which are currently out to public consultation. The consultation runs until 8 December. Further details can be found at:   https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/congenital-heart-disease-standards   There are no centres in Wales providing paediatric congenital cardiac surgery and so patients typically travel to England for surgery. NHS England is working with colleagues in Wales to ensure Welsh residents are aware of the review and able to respond to the consultation.   NHS England will work with providers to help ensure that services meet the required standards.

General Practitioners

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GP practices have (a) closed and (b) opened in (i) England, (ii) Greater London and (iii) Wales in each of the last five years.

Dr Daniel Poulter: Figures for NHS England and the NHS London area are shown in the following table. Figures for Wales are not collected centrally.   It is important to note that these figures also include practice mergers and takeovers and do not provide an accurate representation of activity or service provision. For example, the merger of three practices would show as three practices closing and one opening. In many cases, practices listed in these figures as having closed will have in fact merged, and will continue to see patients.NHS EnglandNHS London areaYearClosedOpenedClosedOpened20098819412232010795512212011111192162012124143142013126133952014 (to 30 September)9211185

Chickenpox: Vaccination

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the breadth of the uptake of the chicken pox vaccine to reduce the risk of stroke in children and young adults; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England has not made an assessment of the impact of uptake of varicella vaccination on the risk of stroke in children and young adults.   The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which provides the Government with expert advice on immunisation matters, has not recommended a universal varicella (chickenpox) immunisation programme for children or young adults.   Varicella immunisation is recommended to protect those people who are at most risk of serious illness. This is done by immunising specific individuals who are in regular or close contact with those at risk, including non-immune healthcare workers and close household contacts of immunocompromised individuals, such as siblings of a child with leukaemia or a child whose parent is undergoing chemotherapy.

Older People: Loneliness

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) telephone services and (b) face-to-face services intended to relieve loneliness and isolation in elderly people.

Norman Lamb: Loneliness and isolation in elderly people is a complex issue and can affect people in different ways. We have not undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of telephone services or face to face services but we know that it is helpful to have a range of interventions that can address the different needs of people who are lonely or isolated.

Patients: Safety

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether missed or inadequate hydrocortisone administration is included in the NHS list of Never Events.

George Freeman: Missed or inadequate hydrocortisone administration is not currently included in the list of ‘never events’.   We can confirm that the current list of Never Events is under review and there is a consultation underway which opened online on the 6 October 2014 and closes on 31 October 2014.

Jane Ellison: Missed or inadequate hydrocortisone administration is not currently included in the list of ‘never events’.   We can confirm that the current list of Never Events is under review and there is a consultation underway which opened online on the 6 October 2014 and closes on 31 October 2014.

Thalidomide

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to ensure the health and independence of UK thalidomide victims.

Norman Lamb: On 20 December 2012, I announced a new 10-year grant to the Thalidomide Trust. The grant will be paid on an annual basis, uprated in line with inflation, which means that over the 10-year period it will be worth in the region of £80 million.   The grant is intended to enable investment in adaptations and preventative measures to improve health and wellbeing and to help minimise further deterioration for this unique group of people.

Medicine: Education

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase the number of places for medical students to undertake training in cardiac units.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The content and standard of medical training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC), which is an independent statutory body. It has the general function of promoting high standards of education and to ensure that medical students and newly qualified doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.   Medical schools design curricula for undergraduate medical education, which includes the type of placements students may undertake during the course. In doing so they must ensure that teaching meets the standards of the GMC in order to both gain and maintain GMC recognition of their course.

Mental Health Services: Children

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many requests have been made to the Specialist Commissioning team for secure placements or beds for children with mental health issues in the last 12 months.

Norman Lamb: The data requested is not currently available.   NHS England took responsibility for the commissioning of CAMH Tier 4 (inpatient) services in April 2013. A standardised approach to admissions was not in place which meant that a clear understanding of the numbers of cases referred, or the reasons for referral was not available.   The need for a national process for admissions was highlighted in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Tier 4 Report, published in July and NHS England have been working with young people and their families during August and September to develop an admissions standard protocol.   NHS Area Teams are currently discussing with relevant CAMHS providers the introduction of the protocol in November 2014. The protocol will be reviewed in January 2015.   NHS England anticipates that a standard protocol will be included in contracts from 2015. This will allow the standard recording of information for CAMHS Tier 4 admissions.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with his EU counterpart about their treatment strategy for those with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost of each operation for scoliosis.

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients with scoliosis were operated on in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Norman Lamb: The Ministers of the Department of Health have had no meetings with their European Union counterparts about treatment strategies for scoliosis.   Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine to the sides but is not considered a disease and does not always require treatment. However, for those in which the condition causes a long-term problem, the Department in its mandate to NHS England sets out plans to enhance the quality of life for all patients with a long-term condition, including those affected by scoliosis.   In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance in June 2014 which states that the ‘Magnetic Expansion Control System should be considered for children aged 2 and over with scoliosis, who need surgery to correct their curved spine’.   Information concerning the number of finished consultant episodes for patients with a primary diagnosis of scoliosis in the last five years is attached. It should be noted that these figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. Data also capture a small number of no-surgical interventions, such as drug treatments. The cost of treating a patient aged 19 years and over with scoliosis or other spinal deformity in one episode of care under a consultant is £1,368. This is the national average unit cost reported by NHS trusts and foundation trusts in 2012-13 reference costs submitted to the Department. This national average unit cost varies from £924 for patients with the lowest level of complications and comorbidities to £2,412 for patients with the highest level of complications and comorbidities.   



Scoliosis- Finished consultant episodes- 2008-2013
(Excel SpreadSheet, 74.58 KB)

Hearing Impairment: Children

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to implement the recommendations in the report of the National Deaf Children's Society entitled Listen Up, published in October 2014.

Dr Daniel Poulter: I met with Jo Campion, Deputy Director for Policy and Campaigns at the National Deaf Children’s Society, today to discuss the Listen Up report and its recommendations.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidelines his Department issues to clinical commissioning groups; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The commissioning responsibilities of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are set out in the NHS Act 2006, The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012 and The National Health Service (Clinical Commissioning Groups— Disapplication of Responsibility) Regulations 2013, as amended.   NHS England has responsibility for issuing guidance to CCGs.

Diabetes

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have lost their sight as a result of diabetes in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The Public Health Outcomes Framework launched in 2012 includes an indicator on preventable sight loss which tracks sight loss due to the three main causes: age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Data has been published for 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 and the number of people aged 12 years and above who lost their eye sight from diabetes is shown in the following table.   A sight loss indicator per 100,000 people for England for each of the three years is also included. The source of the data is Public Health England’s outcomes website and the links to the data are below the table.   IndicatorYearIndicator value per 100,000 populationNumber of people who lost their eye sight from diabetes4.12iii - Preventable sight loss - diabetic eye disease2010-113.61,6114.12iii - Preventable sight loss - diabetic eye disease2011-123.81,7554.12iii - Preventable sight loss - diabetic eye disease2012-133.51,592   Source: http://www.phoutcomes.info/search/Preventable%20sight%20loss%20%20%20diabetic%20eye%20disease#gid/1/pat/6/ati/102/page/4/par/E12000004/are/E06000015   http://www.phoutcomes.info/search/Preventable%20sight%20loss%20%20%20diabetic%20eye%20disease#gid/1/pat/6/ati/102/page/9/par/E12000004/are/E06000015

Diabetes

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have had their feet amputated as a result of diabetes in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The following table shows the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs)[1] with a primary diagnosis[2] of diabetes and a primary or secondary procedure of foot amputation[3], by year for 2008-09 to 2012-13[4]. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and changes in provision of care.[5]   YearFCEs2008-091,5242009-101,4962010-111,7092011-121,7972012-131,327 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre [1] A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. [2] The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. [3] The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 4 prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients undergoing a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures – removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one – counted in a single episode. [4] Assessing growth though time. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. [5] There is no available data for 2013-14.

Diabetes

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people aged (a) under and (b) over 18 were diagnosed with type two diabetes in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected centrally by the Department of Health.

Asthma

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many finished hospital admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of asthma there were among people aged (a) under and (b) over 18 in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: The attached table shows finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of asthma by age for the years 2008-09 to 2012-13. 



Asthma admissions- 2008-09 to 2012-13
(Excel SpreadSheet, 14.49 KB)

Asthma

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people aged (a) under and (b) over 18 were diagnosed with asthma in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: This information is not collected centrally.   However, the following table shows the number of people recorded on a general practice register as part of the quality and outcomes framework (QOF), with a diagnosis of asthma for all ages for England. The data from the QOF are collected by general practice and not by geographical location and are not broken down by age.   2008-093,197,7262009-103,254,5622010-113,273,1742011-123,295,9442012-133,359,368

Medical Equipment

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost to the NHS was of (a) furniture, (b) crutches and (c) other equipment given out to people with a short-term need in each of the last three years.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not hold this information centrally.

Mental Health Services: Young People

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of waiting times for young people attempting to access child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will publish average national waiting times in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Norman Lamb: Average national waiting times in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 will not be published as information on waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services is not collected centrally. There is anecdotal evidence of increasing waiting times in some areas. We do not know whether or not this is due to an increase in referrals or in the prevalence of mental health conditions but will be seeking further information by commissioning a survey into the prevalence of mental illness in children and young people.

Cancer

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has spent on public awareness campaigns on cancer in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The following table shows spend figures, by the Department and Public Health England, for public awareness campaigns on cancer between 2010-11 and 2013-14:   Media Spend (£ millions)2010-112011-122012-132013-140.553.766.467.38   Notes: 1. Since 2010-11 the Department has run a serioes of Be Clear on Cancer campagins, in April 2013 reponsibility for these campagins transfrered to Public Health England. 2. Figures are net plus media buying agency fees and commissions (rounded to nearest £10,000) 3. Figures exclude VAT and Central Office of Information (COI) fees. 4. Media spend includes expenditure for advertising on Television, Radio, National Press, Regional Press, Out of Home (Outdoor), Cinema and Digital. 5. Final figures for 2014-15 are not yet available.

Alcoholic Drinks: Labelling

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2014 to Question 210930, when the final independent market survey will report.

Jane Ellison: This is an independent report, a publication date has not been agreed, however we expect it to be shortly.

Ebola: West Africa

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS staff are helping with Ebola in West Africa; and what steps he has taken to provide cover for those staff.

Jane Ellison: The Chief Medical Officer wrote to National Health Service medical and nursing directors on 19 September seeking volunteers to help efforts on the ground in West Africa. Currently 886 NHS staff have put their names forward. Not all of them will be accepted and NHS trusts will have to agree to their staff taking special leave. Funding for backfilling these posts will be available to NHS trusts.   Additionally, a number of NHS staff are working as volunteers to tackle Ebola in West Africa. This is primarily done on an individual basis through voluntary and non-Government organisations.   The Department, with NHS England and others, will ensure that the NHS remains resilient going forward.

ICT

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much (a) his Department, (b) Public Health England, (c) NHS England and (d) each non-departmental public body spent on (i) iPads and (ii)iPhones in each of the last five years; and how many of each were purchased in each of those years.

Dr Daniel Poulter: Information about the number of iPads and iPhones procured by the Department and the Department’s non-departmental public bodies is available in the attached table, broken down by financial years. 



iPhone & iPad Procurement Dept of Health
(Word Document, 18.49 KB)

Pregnancy: Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the oral Answer of 21 October 2014 from the Minister of State for Care and Support, Official Report, column 749, on mental health nurses, what significant improvements to perinatal mental services have been made.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Government is working to improve perinatal mental health services, collaborating closely with partner organisations including NHS England, Health Education England and the Institute of Health Visiting.   Specialised Perinatal Mental Health Services (Mother and Baby Units) are a part of a wider network of services that provide care for this patient group and the commissioning of the ‘specialist’ (local) and ‘specialised’ (national) pathway is a responsibility shared between NHS England, clinical commissioning groups and local authorities.   Health Education England is working with partners to ensure that pre and post registration training in perinatal mental health is available to enable specialist staff to be available to every birthing unit by 2017.   The Department has funded the Institute of Health Visitors to train a network of 375 perinatal mental health visitor champions. This training initiative addresses the requirements that are necessary for health visitors to manage anxiety, mild to moderate depression and other perinatal mental disorders and to understand the impact of these disorders on the child, the family and society, and to know when to refer on.   NHS England will, through its Maternity and Children Strategic Clinical Networks support the continued development of maternity and perinatal mental health networks to drive improvements to access, quality of care and inter-service communication that enhances the experience of women and families generally, and more specifically for the large numbers of women who are at risk of poor mental health during pregnancy and following childbirth.

Terminal Illnesses

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department has issued to health technology appraisal committees on application of NICE's end of life criteria when appraising treatments for patients with terminal illness.

George Freeman: The Department has not issued any such guidance. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is an independent body and is responsible for the development of its methods and processes.

Terminal Illnesses

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what rationale lies behind NICE's advice that end-of-life criteria should only apply to medicines that extend life by at least three months.

George Freeman: In January 2009, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued supplementary advice to its appraisal committees on appraising treatments which may be life-extending for patients, with short life expectancy, and which are licensed for indications affecting small numbers of patients with incurable illnesses.   This sets out the following three criteria that must all be satisfied for this supplementary advice to be applied: - the treatment is indicated for patients with a short life expectancy, normally less than 24 months; - there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the treatment offers an extension to life, normally of at least an additional three months, compared to current NHS treatment; and - the treatment is licensed or otherwise indicated, for small patient populations.   These criteria were developed following public consultation and set out the circumstances when NICE considers it is appropriate for its appraisal committees to apply greater flexibility in their appraisal of these treatments.   The advice has now been incorporated chapter 6 of Guide to the methods of technology appraisal 2013 which can be found at:   www.nice.org.uk/article/pmg9/chapter/6-the-appraisal-of-the-evidence-and-structured-decision-making

Women and Equalities

Females: Public Appointments

Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities, what recent representations she has received on the role of women in public life; and if she will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: I receive regular representations on many issues including the role of women in public life.We are removing barriers that prevent women from progressing in public life. For example, the Government has established the Centre for Public Appointments (CPA) in the Cabinet Office to ensure best practice is followed. As a result, the proportion of new female appointees to public boards has increased to 39%. We have also supported political parties to increase women’s representation thorough a combination of legislative and voluntary measures.

Public Appointments

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities, how many (a) men and (b) women her Department has publicly appointed in each of the last five years; and how much has been paid to each (i) man and (ii) woman.

Jo Swinson: The Government Equalities Office made the following public appointments to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in each of the last five years: Year20092010201120122013Male40002Female* 81125 * includes two reappointmentsThe EHRC Chair and Deputy Chair posts are salaried and the salaries over the period are shown below. The significant reduction in the remuneration is a result of the reduction in terms and conditions following the Government’s comprehensive review of the EHRC: Year2009/102010/112011/122012/132013/14Chair (male)£124,000£124,000£147,000£65,000 Chair (female)£55,838Deputy Chair (both female)£59,533£65,800£65,800£85,000 (including period as interim Chair)£23,400 Commissioners receive £400 a day plus expenses. In addition, two male Disability Commissioners were required to carry out additional work during the period, therefore additional payments were made as shown: Year2009/102010/112011/122012/132013/14Chair of the Inquiry into disability related harassment £8,875£11,750£2,375 Lead on Disability Committee Review£18,800 The total of fees and expenses paid each year to each Commissioner is available in the relevant EHRC annual report and accounts.